The ongoing war with Iran has reached its fourth week and meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has given a new statement regarding the beginning of the war. This has further increased the question as to how and why this war started. During a meeting in Tennessee, USA, Trump said that his Defense Minister Pete Hegseth was the first to speak in favor of military action. According to Trump, Hegseth had said that it was necessary to take steps to stop Iran from making nuclear weapons.

According to the report of Rolling Stone, different views are emerging within the Trump administration on the issue related to Iran war. Some people say that Israel was already preparing to attack, so America had to get involved. Some say that Iran was close to making nuclear weapons. Trump told in his own style that he talked to many officials and then decided to either ignore the problem or take direct action to eliminate it, but the situation is not that clear. Trump also said that Iran’s retaliation was sudden and no one had expected it. While some reports say that advance warning was given, but it was not heeded.

Trump on Hegseth on the decision to start military campaign: “Pete, I think you were the first one to speak up. You said, ‘Let’s do it.” pic.twitter.com/av8Mk9K6Bo

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 23, 2026

Questions raised about Defense Minister Hegseth

Defense Minister Hegseth is most visible in this entire matter. He told in a press conference at the Pentagon that America’s goal is to weaken Iran’s missile, drone and naval strength. He also said that it is difficult to tell when this operation will end, but the work is going on as per plan. Trump also admitted that Vice President JD Vance was not that enthusiastic about the war, although he did not publicly oppose it. According to reports, some people like Benjamin Netanyahu and media investor Rupert Murdoch were in favor of military action, while some others in the administration were advising caution. Meanwhile, another big case was seen when Joe Kent, former head of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned amid this controversy.

Talk of agreement with Iran

Amidst the Iran war, Trump has also said that he wants to make a deal with Iran. He claimed that his son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff are talking to a senior leader of Iran. However, Iran has denied any such talks. Trump had earlier given Iran time till Monday to accept his conditions, but now this deadline has been extended by 5 more days.

Also read: Iran-US War: India is supporting Muslim countries to stop the war between Israel, America and Iran, what is its role? know