In an exclusive interview on Newsmax, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended Israel’s right to unilaterally attack Iran, adding that the U.S. is committed to protecting its assets in the region.

“Israel felt it needed to act in defense of their nation, and that’s what they did,” Hegseth told “Carl Higbie FRONTLINE” on Saturday before the military parade in Washington honoring the Army’s 250th anniversary.

“And we have said from the beginning, President Trump wanted to pursue a peaceful track but also [was] very clear. Everybody heard him, said it for 20 years. Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. And I think Iran thought they could just continue that.

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