US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed on June 10 that Washington is preparing airstrikes against "key facilities" in Iran, framing the action as part of ongoing negotiations for a permanent ceasefire.
Speaking to reporters in Tampa, Florida, shortly after leaving the headquarters of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Hegseth said he had reviewed the attack plan for the night of June 10 with Admiral Bradley Cooper, CENTCOM commander. "CENTCOM will be busy tonight because President Trump has said we will hit Iran hard, and we will do it," Hegseth stated.
Hegseth described the upcoming airstrikes as "powerful" and "decisive," leaving open the possibility of extending into a second day. "If they have to happen tomorrow night, they will be powerful and decisive," he emphasized.
Shortly after Hegseth's statement, CENTCOM posted on social media announcing "additional self-defense airstrikes" at 5:15 PM Eastern Time (21:00 GMT). "The airstrikes are in response to Iran’s unprovoked and continued aggression," the statement read.
The June 10 attack marks the second consecutive day of US airstrikes on Iran, breaking the fragile ceasefire agreement reached on April 8.
The US entered conflict with Iran on February 28, when the Trump administration, alongside Israel, launched a surprise offensive against the country. Both Israel and the US argued the attack was necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. However, the Trump administration has offered conflicting justifications for the war since then. Previously, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested Washington acted "preemptively" knowing Israel was about to take action, but he later retracted that statement.
Explaining the upcoming airstrikes, Secretary Hegseth cited dissatisfaction with Iran's negotiating tactics. "As President Trump said, they kept delaying. But instead, they will have to receive bombs falling on key Iranian facilities from the United States," Hegseth declared.
