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United States President Donald Trump warned Thursday that he may have to "destroy the rest" of Iran, signaling the possibility of further military action against Tehran as his administration faces mounting criticism following Republicans' defeat in the midterm elections.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Washington was considering its next steps after months of military operations against Iran, which began with U.S.-Israeli attacks in February.
“Now we’ll make a decision: Do we want to go further and just certify it, by certifying it meaning it will never happen again?” Trump said.
“I would rather not destroy the rest of the country, if possible, but maybe I’ll have to. And you’ll know soon enough,” he added.
Trump estimated that Iran would need 25 years to rebuild from the damage caused by the war, which remains unresolved.
Asked about reports that Tehran had submitted a proposal through mediators concerning the future of its nuclear program and whether Washington was involved, Trump said: “They’re not doing anything without our approval.”
His remarks came as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the administration's military campaign against Iran and rejected calls for his removal following the Republican Party's loss of control of both chambers of Congress.
In a video message posted on social media after the midterm election results became clearer, Hegseth defended Trump's military policies and called for continued investment in U.S. defense capabilities.
"The next few months and years are vital for our department and our republic. This is about the president's 'America First' agenda. This is about our department's 'peace through strength' agenda," Hegseth said.
He credited the administration with eliminating Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs, removing military leaders he considered ineffective, strengthening global deterrence and increasing recruitment.
Hegseth also defended the campaign against Iran, describing it as a "bold and historic undertaking" aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
He said the administration remained determined to ensure Iran never obtained nuclear weapons and would continue developing U.S. military capabilities.
The defense secretary also urged lawmakers to approve an additional $350 billion in military funding, arguing that the armed forces required greater resources to address current security challenges.
"The Department of War must be resourced in a manner that meets the demands of the situation we currently face," Hegseth said.
"We need the vote of every patriotic member of Congress," he added, emphasizing that military development should continue despite political disagreements.
The request comes as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress in January 2027, potentially complicating the administration's efforts to secure additional funding for its military priorities.
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Hegseth also rejected calls for his impeachment, dismissing criticism from Democrats as "political theater."
"They are attacking me, they are attacking us, because we are effective. It won't work. We will not back down," he said.
The defense secretary compared efforts to remove him with previous Democratic impeachment proceedings against Trump.
"It didn't work against President Trump, and it won't work against me," he said.
Republicans lost control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, with the Iran war emerging as a major political issue.
Vice President JD Vance publicly attributed the Republican defeat to the conflict, while Trump also acknowledged that the war had contributed to rising gasoline prices.
The election results intensified criticism of Hegseth and prompted renewed calls for his removal.
Trump, however, defended his defense secretary, saying he was "doing a good job."
NBC News separately reported that the president was considering possible candidates to replace Hegseth.
The conflicting signals come as the administration weighs its next steps against Iran, with Trump leaving open the possibility of renewed military escalation while facing a Congress soon to be controlled by Democrats.
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