US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has said the Middle East conflict is “not an endless war. It’s a decisive campaign with clear objectives to destroy Iran’s military capabilities and ensure they never acquire a nuclear weapon.”

Describing it as “stuff for the history books” and “pure American success”, he has said the US is “ahead of pace” in its mission.

Hegseth claims that Iran now has “no navy, no navy leader”, and that the US’s use of slower, low-flying aircraft is proof that it has no air defences left.

He adds that the US prays for a deal and welcomes a deal, adding that “War is negotiation by other means.”