Entertainment
5 key takeaways from Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon press conference on Iran-US war
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine addressed the media on Monday, March 2.
This marks the first Pentagon press conference since the U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran.
The Operation Epic Fury started on Saturday, February 28.
Here are the major key takeaways from their remarks.
1. “We didn’t start this war, but we’re finishing it”
Hegseth started the conference by framing the conflict as the culmination of decades of Iranian aggression. He quoted that the Iranian attacks date back to the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing and recent strikes on U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Hegseth said, “For 47 long years, the Iranian regime has waged a savage, one-sided war against America. We didn’t start this war, but under President Trump, we’re finishing it.”
He also noted that the primary objectives of the U.S. are “laser-focused” on destroying the missiles of Iran. It also focuses on damaging Iran’s missile production capabilities, naval infrastructure, and making sure Iran never acquires nuclear weapons.
2. Four service members are dead
Caine confirmed that the U.S. has suffered its fourth combat fatality since operations started, with the service member succumbing to injuries from Iran’s counterattacks.
Commenting on it, Hegseth said, “War is hell and always will be. Our grateful nation honours the four Americans we have lost thus far and those injured, the absolute best of America.”
Caine also warned that additional casualties are expected as the operation continues.
3. No American ground forces in Iran
Hegseth confirmed that the American ground forces have not entered Iran and have declined to rule out the possibility as the operation evolves.
Criticising earlier Pentagon administration for disclosing the operational details, he said: “We’re going to go into the exercises of what we will or will not do. We will go as far as we need to.”
Gen. Caine later confirmed additional forces are flowing to the Middle East.
4. U.S.-Iran war is not endless, but the timeline remains unclear
Hegseth said, “This is not Iraq. This is not endless. I was there for both. Our generation knows better, and so does this president.”
However, he also mentioned that Iranian capabilities will not be destroyed “overnight.” When asked about the precise duration, Hegseth grew adversarial, stating Trump has “all latitude in the world” to determine whether the operation takes “four weeks, two weeks, six weeks.”
5. Operation’s purpose is not regime change
While carefully describing, Hegseth stated that the operation’s aim is not regime change, even as Iran’s supreme leader has been killed.
Hegseth said: “This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change, and the world is better off for it.”
He considered the leadership transition in Iran a fortunate byproduct rather than a primary objective.
Jack Quaid and Claudia Doumit have gone from co-stars to newlyweds.
The couple — who met on the set of The Boys — have reportedly tied the knot in a private ceremony in Australia. According to Australian outlet news.com.au, the ceremony reportedly took place on April 18 at Mona Farm in Braidwood, a quiet countryside location not far from Canberra.
Their reception, held in a marquee on the property, was said to include a star-studded guest list, with names like Meg Ryan, Dennis Quaid, Alec Baldwin, Tom Hanks, Kevin Costner and Henry Golding in attendance.
While the event was kept low-key, glimpses from guests briefly surfaced online, showing the pair celebrating their first dance to Atlantis by Donovan, before the images were later removed.
Doumit wore an off-white satin gown with a ruffled skirt and floral headband, while Quaid opted for a bold red Western-style blazer with gold embroidery.
Several of their The Boys co-stars also showed up, including Karl Urban, Colby Minifie and Nathan Mitchell, marking a full-circle moment for the couple who first connected through the hit series. They were first linked in 2022 after being spotted holding hands, two years after Doumit joined the show.
Karachi Kings won the toss and decided to bat first against Peshawar Zalmi in the 32nd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday.
Babar Azam-led Zalmi have already qualified for the playoffs and sit at the top of the points table. They remain unbeaten in PSL 11 so far, having won seven of their eight matches, with one game abandoned due to rain.
In contrast, Karachi Kings are placed seventh on the points table, with just three wins from seven matches.
Historically, the two sides have faced each other 24 times. Zalmi hold a clear advantage with 16 wins, while the Kings have secured eight victories.
Squads
Karachi Kings: David Warner (c), Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Khushdil Shah, Saad Baig (wk), Moeen Ali, Azam Khan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shahid Aziz, Mir Hamza, Adam Zampa, Hamza Sohail, Aqib Ilyas, Jason Roy, Haroon Arshad, Reeza Hendricks, Ihsanullah, Zahid Mahmood, and Rizwanullah.
Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Ali Raza, Aaron Hardie, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Haris (wk), Khalid Usman, Abdul Subhan, Tanzid Hasan, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kashif Ali, Shahnawaz Dahani, Farhan Yousuf, Brian Bennett, Mohammad Basit, and Shoriful Islam.
This is a developing story and is being updated with further details.
Tori Spelling shared a heartfelt remembrance of her former boyfriend, actor Patrick Muldoon, who died suddenly on April 19 at the age of 57.
Spelling dated Muldoon in the 1990s while starring on Beverly Hills, 90210 and he was appearing on Melrose Place.
She took to Instagram to pen an emotional tribute late Tuesday.
“This post took me a couple days. I wasn’t ready to write because then it felt real. And, this shouldn’t be real,” she wrote.
Reflecting on their relationship, Spelling recalled their playful bond and shared memories of singing Grease together at her 22nd birthday party.
“We shared a love of Broncos, guitars, goofing off, playing tag, and Grease! Loved to belt out Grease. I was Sandy to his Danny!” she said.
She praised Muldoon’s warmth and humour.
Spelling revealed they affectionately called each other “f— face.”
“He was special and one of a kind. The kindest most caring human w/ raddest weird sense of humor. We got each other! Laughed a lot! I laughed w/him and at him and he loved it… We called each other F—face ????. That was us!”
Spelling also highlighted his support during her divorce, remembering how he would check in and send her “the worst jokes” to make her laugh.
“He always showed up. And, was a true hype man 4 those he cared about. He was a huge part of my formative 20’s. We went on to be good friends! Still laughing & always caring,” she wrote.
Muldoon’s passing has prompted tributes from many including Denise Richards, who described him as her “best friend & my family.”
Richards’ daughter Lola Sheen also wrote, “When I think of my childhood I think of you Pat. And it’s gonna be so weird to go on without you in our lives.”
Muldoon will be remembered for roles on Days of Our Lives, Melrose Place, and Saved by the Bell.
Oil prices fluctuate as Trump extends Iran war ceasefire
Chaos reigns in Asian Champions League after VAR intervenes over substitution
Italy’s inflation edges up to 1.7% in March: Istat
-
Fashion6 days agoFrance’s LVMH Q1 revenue falls 6%, shows resilience amid Iran war
-
Entertainment7 days agoIs Claude down? Here’s why users are seeing errors
-
Business1 week agoDelta Air Lines unveils first new Delta One suite in premium cabin arms race
-
Fashion1 week agoAsia claims largest share of markets on Kearney FDI Confidence Index
-
Tech1 week agoThe Deepfake Nudes Crisis in Schools Is Much Worse Than You Thought
-
Sports7 days agoPSL 11: Peshawar Zalmi win toss, opt to field first against Quetta Gladiators
-
Tech1 week agoBremont Is Sending a Watch to the Moon’s Surface
-
Tech1 week agoHuman-machine teaming dives underwater