Breaking News : Hegseth Warns Russia And China Over Iran Support, Says “Upcoming Days Will Be Decisive”,
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a stark warning to Russia and China at a Pentagon press briefing on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, stating that Washington is fully aware of the support both nations are providing to Iran and is actively responding to it.
“As far as Russia and China, we know exactly what they’re doing, what they are or are not doing. We don’t have to air publicly what all of that is, but where necessary, we’re addressing it, we’re mitigating it or we’re confronting it head on,” Hegseth told reporters.
Hegseth declined to specify what actions Washington is taking, citing the sensitive nature of the intelligence involved.
Speaking alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, Hegseth declared that the coming days in the conflict will be pivotal. “We have more and more options, and they have less. In only one month we set the terms. The upcoming days will be decisive. Iran knows that, and there’s almost nothing they can militarily do about it,” he said.
Hegseth also revealed that he conducted a secret trip to the CENTCOM area of responsibility over the preceding weekend to meet with U.S. forces involved in Operation Epic Fury, though he declined to name specific locations for operational security reasons.
On the question of a negotiated settlement, Hegseth stated that diplomatic channels remain active and are “gaining strength,” while warning that any failure to reach a deal would result in escalating military pressure. “If Iran doesn’t make a deal, war will continue with more intensity,” he said.
Sources: Reuters, CBS News, Arab News, Army Times