War Secretary Hegseth Warns Iran Has Missiles That Can Strike London
Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth is raising fresh concerns about the global threat posed by Iran, warning that Tehran’s missile capabilities may now extend far beyond what the regime has previously admitted—potentially placing major Western capitals like London within striking distance.
The warning follows a recent incident in which Iran launched two missiles targeting a joint U.S.-UK military installation. While both projectiles ultimately failed to hit their intended target, the attempted strike has intensified fears about Iran’s growing long-range capabilities and willingness to project force beyond its immediate region.
The British government confirmed the missiles missed, but the implications have rattled security analysts. Prior assessments from Israeli defense officials have suggested Iran’s missile systems could reach distances of up to 4,000 kilometers—enough to threaten large portions of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Hegseth underscored what he described as Tehran’s pattern of deception:
“Two days ago they [Iran] shot two failed missiles on a target 4,000km away. For years, they told the world that their missiles could only range [2,000] kilometres. Surprise. Yet again, Iran lie.”
He then drew a direct connection to Western vulnerability:
“And to the world. I say London is 4,000km from Iran. Washington DC is 3,300km from Venezuela, another country President Trump did something about, which partnered for a long time with Iran. So you’re telling us that Iran is not a threat to the world or to the US? President Trump knows better.”
The remarks come amid broader U.S. strategic coordination in the Indo-Pacific. Hegseth met with Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin on Monday to discuss expanding U.S. military access to Indonesian airspace—part of a larger effort to counter emerging threats and maintain global stability.
At the same time, President Donald J. Trump is reinforcing his administration’s doctrine of strength and deterrence in the Middle East. Earlier Monday, Trump issued a stark warning that any Iranian vessels attempting to challenge a newly established U.S. blockade would face immediate destruction.
Posting on Truth Social shortly after blocking the Strait of Hormuz, Trump highlighted the scale of U.S. military success while issuing an unmistakable ultimatum:
“Iran’s Navy is laying at the bottom of the sea, completely obliterated – 158 ships. What we have not hit are their small number of, what they call, ‘fast attack ships,’ because we did not consider them much of a threat,” Trump posted. “Warning: If any of these ships come anywhere close to our BLOCKADE, they will be immediately ELIMINATED, using the same system of kill that we use against the drug dealers on boats at Sea.”
He added:
“It is quick and brutal. P.S. 98.2% of Drugs coming into the U.S. by Ocean or Sea have STOPPED! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Trump has increasingly framed Iran as a weakened regime attempting to leverage global shipping routes as a final bargaining chip ahead of negotiations.
“The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short-term extortion of the World by using International Waterways,” Trump wrote on TRUTH Social.
The Strait of Hormuz—one of the most critical oil transit chokepoints in the world—has long been a focal point of Iranian threats. The Trump administration’s decisive action signals a renewed commitment to safeguarding global commerce and preventing hostile regimes from disrupting energy markets.
“The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!” Trump added.
The president also outlined what he described as the near-total collapse of Iran’s conventional military capabilities:
“Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti Aircraft apparatus is nonexistent, Radar is dead.”
According to Trump, Iran’s missile and drone infrastructure has been “largely obliterated,” further weakening the regime’s ability to threaten U.S. interests or its allies.
Despite the aggressive posture, diplomacy remains on the table. A high-level U.S. delegation led by Vice President JD Vance—joined by envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner—is set to meet Iranian officials in Pakistan later this week for critical negotiations.
Still, Trump made clear that even Iran’s remaining asymmetric capabilities are rapidly being neutralized:
“The only thing they have going is the threat that a ship may ‘bunk’ into one of their sea mines,” he wrote, adding that “all 28 of their mine dropper boats are also lying at the bottom of the sea.”
Meanwhile, U.S. forces have begun securing the vital waterway for international partners:
“We’re now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to Countries all over the World,” Trump said, listing China, Japan, South Korea, France, and Germany.
He also noted that multiple large oil tankers are now heading toward the United States “to LOAD UP with Oil,” signaling a renewed push for energy security and economic strength.
As Iran’s threats become more visible—and its capabilities more contested—the Trump administration is doubling down on a familiar doctrine: peace through strength, backed by decisive action and unwavering resolve.