Trump Defense Sec. Hegseth briefs on Iran strikes; 4th service member killed

Three U.S. fighter jets have crashed over Kuwait, in what U.S. Central Command described as a “friendly fire incident.” None of the crew was hurt.

It’s the latest development in the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, which has entered its third day.
Earlier, loud blasts were heard in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and Tehran’s security chief said that negotiations with Washington were off the table.

Air travel has been severely disrupted, with Emirates and Etihad saying they have temporarily suspended all flights out of their hubs in the United Arab Emirates.

Energy operations have also been affected. Regional oil giant Saudi Aramco said one of its refineries has been hit, causing a small fire that was contained.

Prospects of an escalation in the conflict sent oil prices surging Monday, as investors assessed risks of supply disruption. Safe‑haven gold climbed, while U.S. futures, European stocks and Asian equity markets fell across the board.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on the conflict’s first day and state media reported that more than 200 people had been killed in the country. It leaves Iran with a sensitive leadership transition. A temporary council, including senior cleric Ayatollah Alireza Arafi and President Masoud Pezeshkian, has assumed control.

The U.S., meanwhile, has confirmed that three American service members have died and five have been seriously wounded. President Donald Trump has warned of further American casualties and said the conflict could last up to four weeks.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the war in Iran is not being waged in order to overthrow Tehran’s ruling regime — but he pointed to the deaths of Iranian leaders that have resulted from the operations so far.

“Turns out the regime who chanted ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel’ was gifted death from America and death from Israel,” Hegseth said during a press briefing at the Pentagon.

“This is not a so-called regime-change war, but the regime sure did change, and the world is better off for it,” Hegseth said.

The “clear” mission of the U.S. campaign dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” he said, is to destroy Iranian military threats and nuclear capabilities.

“Israel has clear missions as well, for which we are grateful,” Hegseth said.