Sec. War Pete Hegseth Announces Imminent Iran Strikes & Warns Cuba | CENTCOM Briefing

Breaking News from Defense Now:** In this critical June 2026 press briefing at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivers a stark update regarding ongoing military operations and strategic posturing under the Trump administration. The primary focus is the intense military pressure currently directed at Iran. Sec. Hegseth details operations "Epic Fury" and the newly revealed "Project Freedom," a clandestine mission protecting commercial shipping that has effectively secured U.S. dominance over the Strait of Hormuz. The briefing outlines impending military strikes designed to force Iran into a negotiated nuclear agreement. During a heated Q&A segment, Hegseth addresses questions on military ethics, targeting capabilities, the status of injured U.S. Apache pilots, and broader regional security threats. The briefing concludes with a hardline stance on Cuba and Guantanamo Bay, invoking the Monroe Doctrine to warn against foreign military buildup near U.S. shores, and confirming that the Pentagon retains extensive contingency plans—including potential leadership decapitation operations. *Subscribe to Defense Now for the latest updates on global military strategy, Pentagon briefings, and U.S. defense operations.* *Key Points & Timestamps* | Timestamp | Topic | Key Details | | --- | --- | --- | | *00:07 - 01:25* | *Impending Strikes on Iran* | Secretary Hegseth announces that the U.S. will be dropping bombs on key Iranian facilities "tonight" under President Trump's orders to force a negotiated nuclear deal. | | *01:25 - 03:34* | *Project Freedom & The Strait of Hormuz* | Reveals "Project Freedom," a clandestine operation protecting commercial shipping. Asserts the U.S. blockade is ironclad (stopping nearly 140 ships) and declares U.S. control over the Strait. | | *03:34 - 04:41* | *Praise for Troops & Media Criticism* | Commends deployed U.S. personnel for resetting the regional balance and admonishes the media for attempting to spin military achievements negatively. | | *04:41 - 06:37* | *Q&A: Targeting & "War Crimes"* | Dismisses questions about targeting civilian infrastructure as disingenuous, maintaining all strikes are precise and aimed at dismantling Iranian military capabilities. | | *06:37 - 07:50* | *Iranian Leadership & Targeting Intel* | Discusses how the U.S. used a recent ceasefire to vastly improve intelligence networks, noting Iran's inability to easily replenish drone and missile capabilities. | | *07:50 - 09:22* | *Apache Pilots & "Negotiating with Bombs"* | Confirms wounded U.S. Apache pilots are recovering well. Reiterates the U.S. is prepared to "negotiate with bombs" if Iran refuses diplomacy. | | *09:22 - 11:11* | *Guantanamo Bay & 9/11 Detainees* | Expresses frustration over the delayed justice system regarding 9/11 planners like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, affirming commitment to pursuing the death penalty. | | *11:11 - 13:30* | *Warnings to Cuba & Regime Change Options* | Warns Cuba against hosting foreign military systems 90 miles from the U.S. (Monroe Doctrine) and confirms the Pentagon has capture/kill contingency plans. | --- Pete Hegseth,Secretary of War,CENTCOM,Pentagon Briefing,US Military,Iran Strikes,Project Freedom,Strait of Hormuz,Epic Fury,US Defense,Guantanamo Bay,Gitmo,Monroe Doctrine, Cuba Warning, Trump Administration,Military Strategy,Defense Now, Middle East Conflict, Apache Pilots Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @defensenow   Defense Now | June 2026    • DN June 2026   ⬇️ Support Defense Now! ⬇️ Your #1 Source for Military Videos & News :) All About Only Military Stuff! 👍 Don't forget to LIKE this video! 🔔 SUBSCRIBE & hit the bell so you never miss an update:    / defensenow   Members-only videos    • Members-only videos   [Copyright / Source Disclaimer] Welcome to the official Defense Now channel on YouTube. Defense Now is an independent, educational, and documentary military channel devoted to armed forces, national security policy, and military technologies. All the content on the channel is STRICTLY for informational, documentary, and historical purposes! The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Please keep the comments section respectful; any spam, insults, or trolling will be deleted. © For content licensing or reuse, official government streams, and public archives, please contact us directly to avoid automated copyright enforcement. Hegseth Addresses Media in Florida TAMPA, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES 06.10.2026 Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks to the media during a trip to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., June 10, 2026. Film Credits: War.gov