US President Donald Trump has appeared to shift responsibility for the decision to launch military strikes against Iran to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth as the debate continues to rage within the US government over the source of the current conflict.

While at a roundtable in Tennessee to discuss public safety, Trump claimed that Hegseth had been the first person to support the military action. “Pete, I think you were the first one to speak up… ‘Let’s do it because you can’t let them have a nuclear weapon,’” Trump said, with Hegseth seated beside him.

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Trump cites consultations before strikes

Trump said he had consulted multiple senior officials before authorising the strikes that began in late February, including military and intelligence leadership.

“I called Pete. I called General Caine. I called a lot of our great people,” he said, describing internal discussions around what he framed as a growing threat from Iran.

His remarks have added to questions in Washington about how the decision to enter the conflict was reached, with different accounts emerging from within the administration.

Hegseth defends war effort

Hegseth has since taken a leading role in publicly defending the campaign, regularly briefing the media at the Pentagon and outlining US objectives.

He has declined to specify how long operations could continue. “We wouldn’t want to set a definitive timeframe,” he said recently, adding that the mission remained “on track” and that Trump would decide its conclusion.

Divisions within the administration

It has been noted that there were varying opinions within the administration about undertaking military action.

Vice President JD Vance, who has been a vocal opponent of military interventions in the past, was noted to be less enthusiastic about the military campaign, even though he has not come out openly to oppose it.

On the other hand, some individuals such as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were noted to be among those calling for more robust action.

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The situation has already seen some people fall victim to the tension, as evidenced by former National Counterterrorism Center head Joe Kent’s resignation last week.

War enters fourth week

The war, which has entered its fourth week, has escalated to a wider war involving Iran and its allies. It has been noted that the military campaign’s main objective is to target Iran’s missile, drone, and naval capabilities.

The war has seen a surge in casualties, with thousands dead or displaced. Trump noted that his administration was considering engaging in negotiations to resolve the war and reopen the strait, but Iran has noted that such negotiations are yet to take place.