Hegseth said that such incidents strengthen the military’s resolve.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press conference on U.S. military action in Iran, at the Pentagon in Washington on March 2, 2026. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
3/2/2026|Updated: 3/2/2026
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said on March 2 that four U.S. service members were killed during the Iran conflict after an Iranian projectile—which he referred to as a “squirter”—penetrated American air defenses and struck a U.S. tactical operations center.
Hegseth emphasized that while air defense systems are highly capable, they are not flawless.
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