U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressed concerns about the safety of American forces in the Middle East during an interview with 60 Minutes, asserting that current operations place the adversaries, not U.S. personnel, at risk. Speaking with CBS News correspondent Major Garrett, Hegseth said, “Well, the Russian involvement, no one’s putting us in danger, we’re putting the other guys in danger. That’s our job. So, we’re not concerned about that. We mitigate it as we need to. Our commanders factor all of this. But the only ones that need to be worried right now are Iranians that think they’re going to live.”
Hegseth on Iran:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 6, 2026
No one is putting us in danger. We are putting the other guys in danger. That's our job.
The only ones that need to be worried right now are Iranians who think they're going to live. pic.twitter.com/e0CPcGTNgr
The discussion began with reporting that Russia had allegedly provided intelligence to Iran regarding U.S. military movements. Hegseth emphasized that American forces are aware of these developments and are taking measures to counter any potential threats. “We’re tracking everything. Our commanders are aware of everything. We have the best intelligence in the world. We’re aware of who’s talking to who, why they’re talking to him, how accurate that information might be, how we factor that into our battle plans,” he said, noting that the president is actively involved in overseeing risk mitigation.
Host: Russia is providing intelligence to Iran on US positions and movements.
— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 6, 2026
Hegseth: We're tracking everything. Our commanders are aware of everything. We have the best intelligence in the world. We're aware of who's talking to who, why they're talking to them, how accurate… pic.twitter.com/ZS8s2jXKfw
Hegseth highlighted that the U.S. military maintains a proactive approach in response to regional threats. He stated that communications with Russia are monitored and managed to prevent adversarial actions from endangering American personnel. “The American people can rest assured their commander-in-chief is well aware of who’s talking to who and anything that shouldn’t be happening, whether it’s in public or back channeled, is being confronted and confronted strongly,” he said.
The interview also covered broader regional dynamics, including Iran’s missile and drone capabilities. CBS News national security analyst Aaron MacLean warned that Russian support to Iran represents a serious development, as Russia has gained extensive targeting experience through its war in Ukraine. MacLean explained, “If they are supplying that kind of information to the Iranians, that’s a concern. We take the Secretary of War at his word that our people are aware of that, that they are tracking that, but anything like that has to be taken extremely seriously.”
Hegseth and MacLean detailed the U.S. strategy in defending bases and regional interests. Interceptors are being used to neutralize incoming threats, while U.S. and partner forces target missile launchers and storage sites directly. According to MacLean, recent operations have significantly reduced the rate of Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks, with missile attacks down 90% and drone strikes down 80% in the first week of action. The coalition’s approach emphasizes not just interception but neutralizing the sources of attacks to shift the balance of power in favor of the U.S. and its allies.
The interview took place against the backdrop of Operation Epic Fury, launched on February 28 under the direction of the President. CENTCOM forces initiated strikes on Iranian regime targets, including command and control facilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense positions. “The President ordered bold action, and our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are answering the call,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM.
Hegseth and analysts stressed that the coalition’s control of the skies enables precision targeting and ongoing offensive operations. With the support of allies and intelligence tracking, the U.S. has achieved operational superiority over Iranian forces.
The Secretary of War concluded that U.S. forces are not in immediate danger, and the primary risks lie with those opposing American operations. The statements underscore the U.S. military’s confidence in its preparedness and strategic approach, as well as the stakes of ongoing operations in the Persian Gulf and surrounding regions, where Iran’s capacity to disrupt energy traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains a potential long-term concern.