Trump Shifts Focus: Is Defense Secretary Hegseth Bearing the Responsibility for the Iran War?

During a roundtable discussion in Memphis, Tennessee, Trump revealed that among his cabinet, Hegseth was the first to advocate for a "small-scale operation" to neutralize Iran’s nearing nuclear capabilities. While Trump publicly praised Hegseth's decisive stance, many observers interpret this as a strategic move to deflect future accountability onto the Pentagon chief. This comes at a time when other key figures, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reportedly held reservations about direct military intervention.

As the conflict—triggered by the February 28 joint U.S.-Israel offensive—enters its fourth week, Hegseth has reaffirmed the mission's goal to dismantle Iran’s ballistic and drone infrastructure. Despite the ongoing violence, Trump claimed that negotiations with Tehran are in progress, a statement that Iran has dismissed as "fake news" intended to manipulate oil markets. Meanwhile, internal reports suggest that Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's influence was a major factor in the escalation. With Iran launching retaliatory missile and drone strikes across the region and Israel vowing to continue its offensive, the conflict remains unpredictable, with no clear timeline for a ceasefire in sight