1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:05,539 --> 00:00:06,539 You . 3 00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:14,399 Good morning . I'll start as we often 4 00:00:14,399 --> 00:00:16,510 do here at the Department of War with 5 00:00:16,510 --> 00:00:18,677 the bottom line up front for the world 6 00:00:18,677 --> 00:00:21,909 to hear and the press to actually admit . 7 00:00:22,739 --> 00:00:24,795 That the United States is decimating 8 00:00:24,795 --> 00:00:26,906 the radical Iranian regime's military 9 00:00:26,906 --> 00:00:29,020 in a way the world has never seen 10 00:00:29,020 --> 00:00:32,000 before . Never before has a modern , 11 00:00:32,299 --> 00:00:35,619 capable military , which Iran used to 12 00:00:35,619 --> 00:00:38,819 have been so quickly destroyed and made 13 00:00:38,819 --> 00:00:42,270 combat ineffective , devastated . We 14 00:00:42,270 --> 00:00:44,381 said it would not be a fair fight and 15 00:00:44,381 --> 00:00:46,437 it has not been . As I stated during 16 00:00:46,437 --> 00:00:48,770 our first press conference on day 2 , 17 00:00:48,819 --> 00:00:51,569 that was 10 short days ago . The 18 00:00:51,569 --> 00:00:53,569 combination of the world's two most 19 00:00:53,569 --> 00:00:56,400 powerful air forces is unprecedented 20 00:00:56,400 --> 00:00:59,509 and unbeatable . Between our air force 21 00:00:59,509 --> 00:01:02,830 and that of the Israelis , over 15,000 22 00:01:02,830 --> 00:01:05,052 enemy targets have been struck . That's 23 00:01:05,052 --> 00:01:07,709 well over 1000 a day . No other 24 00:01:07,709 --> 00:01:10,150 combination of countries in the world 25 00:01:10,150 --> 00:01:13,470 can do that . So today as we speak , we 26 00:01:13,470 --> 00:01:17,059 fly over the top . Of Iran and 27 00:01:17,059 --> 00:01:20,400 Tehran fighters and bombers all day 28 00:01:20,620 --> 00:01:24,180 picking targets as they choose as our 29 00:01:24,180 --> 00:01:26,860 intelligence gets better and better and 30 00:01:26,860 --> 00:01:30,199 more refined looking up . The 31 00:01:30,199 --> 00:01:33,500 IRGC and Iranian regime . Sees only two 32 00:01:33,500 --> 00:01:36,150 things on the side of aircraft . The 33 00:01:36,150 --> 00:01:39,300 Stars and stripes And the Star of David . 34 00:01:40,199 --> 00:01:43,339 The evil regime's worst nightmare . 35 00:01:44,620 --> 00:01:47,379 Iran has no air defenses . Iran has no 36 00:01:47,379 --> 00:01:50,639 air force . Iran has no navy . Their 37 00:01:50,639 --> 00:01:52,806 missiles , their missile launchers and 38 00:01:52,806 --> 00:01:54,917 drones being destroyed or shot out of 39 00:01:54,917 --> 00:01:57,083 the sky . Their missile volume is down 40 00:01:57,083 --> 00:01:59,769 90% . Their one-way attack drones 41 00:01:59,769 --> 00:02:02,800 yesterday down 95% . 42 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:05,911 And as the world is seeing , they are 43 00:02:05,911 --> 00:02:08,210 exercising sheer desperation in the 44 00:02:08,210 --> 00:02:11,779 Straits of Hormuz . Something we're 45 00:02:11,779 --> 00:02:13,779 dealing with . We have been dealing 46 00:02:13,779 --> 00:02:16,001 with it and . Don't need to worry about 47 00:02:16,001 --> 00:02:17,835 it . We're on a plan to defeat , 48 00:02:17,835 --> 00:02:20,289 destroy , disable all of their 49 00:02:20,289 --> 00:02:22,529 meaningful military capabilities at a 50 00:02:22,529 --> 00:02:25,919 pace . The world has never seen before . 51 00:02:27,250 --> 00:02:29,250 But it's not just that Iran doesn't 52 00:02:29,250 --> 00:02:31,649 have a functioning air force . Or that 53 00:02:31,649 --> 00:02:33,760 their entire navy is at the bottom of 54 00:02:33,760 --> 00:02:35,982 the Persian Gulf or their missile force 55 00:02:35,982 --> 00:02:38,470 is shrinking daily . Even more 56 00:02:38,470 --> 00:02:40,669 importantly , they also don't have the 57 00:02:40,669 --> 00:02:42,910 ability to build more . That's the most 58 00:02:42,910 --> 00:02:44,710 important component I'd like to 59 00:02:44,710 --> 00:02:48,649 emphasize today . Soon and very soon 60 00:02:48,649 --> 00:02:51,919 all of Iran's defense companies . Will 61 00:02:51,919 --> 00:02:54,080 be destroyed . For example , as of 2 62 00:02:54,080 --> 00:02:56,059 days ago , Iran's entire ballistic 63 00:02:56,059 --> 00:02:58,330 ballistic missile production capacity , 64 00:02:58,759 --> 00:03:00,537 every company that builds every 65 00:03:00,537 --> 00:03:02,592 component of those missiles has been 66 00:03:02,592 --> 00:03:04,592 functionally defeated , destroyed . 67 00:03:04,649 --> 00:03:06,669 Buildings , complexes , and factory 68 00:03:06,669 --> 00:03:10,110 lines all across Iran destroyed , so 69 00:03:10,110 --> 00:03:12,332 we're shooting down and destroying what 70 00:03:12,332 --> 00:03:14,589 missiles they still have in stock , but 71 00:03:14,589 --> 00:03:16,700 more importantly , ensuring that they 72 00:03:16,700 --> 00:03:20,580 have no ability to make more . Their 73 00:03:20,580 --> 00:03:22,619 production lines , their military 74 00:03:22,619 --> 00:03:25,020 plants , their defense innovation 75 00:03:25,020 --> 00:03:28,809 centers defeated . Iran's leadership 76 00:03:29,270 --> 00:03:31,750 is in no better shape . Desperate and 77 00:03:31,750 --> 00:03:33,750 hiding , they've gone underground , 78 00:03:34,190 --> 00:03:37,110 cowering . That's what rats do . 79 00:03:38,119 --> 00:03:40,479 We know the new so-called not so 80 00:03:40,479 --> 00:03:43,949 supreme leader is wounded . And likely 81 00:03:43,949 --> 00:03:46,570 disfigured He put out a statement 82 00:03:46,570 --> 00:03:48,792 yesterday , a , a weak one , actually . 83 00:03:49,089 --> 00:03:51,460 But there was no voice and there was no 84 00:03:51,460 --> 00:03:54,779 video . It was a written statement . He 85 00:03:54,779 --> 00:03:57,300 called for unity . Apparently killing 86 00:03:57,300 --> 00:03:59,580 tens of thousands of protesters is his 87 00:03:59,580 --> 00:04:02,940 kind of unity . Iran has plenty of 88 00:04:02,940 --> 00:04:05,162 cameras and plenty of voice recorders . 89 00:04:05,162 --> 00:04:07,750 Why a written statement ? I think you 90 00:04:07,750 --> 00:04:11,679 know why . His father dead . He's 91 00:04:11,679 --> 00:04:13,901 scared , he's injured , he's on the run 92 00:04:13,901 --> 00:04:16,160 and he lacks legitimacy . It's a mess 93 00:04:16,170 --> 00:04:19,739 for them . Who's in charge ? Iran may 94 00:04:19,739 --> 00:04:23,389 not even know . With every passing hour 95 00:04:23,389 --> 00:04:26,739 we know and we know they know . That 96 00:04:26,739 --> 00:04:28,961 the military capabilities of their evil 97 00:04:28,961 --> 00:04:31,128 regime are crumbling . They can barely 98 00:04:31,128 --> 00:04:33,183 communicate , let alone coordinate . 99 00:04:33,183 --> 00:04:35,406 They're confused , and we know it . Our 100 00:04:35,406 --> 00:04:38,179 response , we will keep pressing , we 101 00:04:38,179 --> 00:04:40,859 will keep pushing , keep advancing , no 102 00:04:40,859 --> 00:04:44,549 quarter , no mercy for our enemies . 103 00:04:45,839 --> 00:04:48,679 Yet some in this crew in the press just 104 00:04:48,679 --> 00:04:51,809 can't stop . Allow me to make a few 105 00:04:51,809 --> 00:04:54,640 suggestions . People look up at the TV 106 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:56,480 and they see banners , they see 107 00:04:56,480 --> 00:04:58,536 headlines . I , I used to be in that 108 00:04:58,536 --> 00:05:00,702 business and I know that everything is 109 00:05:00,702 --> 00:05:03,510 written intentionally . For example , a 110 00:05:03,510 --> 00:05:05,859 banner or a headline Mideast war 111 00:05:05,859 --> 00:05:07,980 intensifies , splashing on the screen 112 00:05:08,399 --> 00:05:10,288 the last couple of days alongside 113 00:05:10,288 --> 00:05:12,559 visuals of civilian or energy targets 114 00:05:12,559 --> 00:05:14,799 that Iran has hit because that's what 115 00:05:14,799 --> 00:05:18,149 they do . What should the banner read 116 00:05:18,149 --> 00:05:21,089 instead ? How about Iran increasingly 117 00:05:21,269 --> 00:05:24,309 desperate because they are . They know 118 00:05:24,309 --> 00:05:27,359 it and so do you . If it can be 119 00:05:27,359 --> 00:05:31,290 admitted . Or more fake news from CNN . 120 00:05:32,059 --> 00:05:34,170 Reports that the Trump administration 121 00:05:34,170 --> 00:05:36,392 underestimated the Iran war's impact on 122 00:05:36,392 --> 00:05:38,809 the Strait of Hormuz . Patently 123 00:05:38,970 --> 00:05:41,230 ridiculous , of course . For decades , 124 00:05:41,269 --> 00:05:43,269 Iran has threatened shipping in the 125 00:05:43,269 --> 00:05:45,436 Strait of Hormuz . This is always what 126 00:05:45,436 --> 00:05:49,140 they do , hold the Strait hostage . CNN 127 00:05:49,140 --> 00:05:51,720 doesn't think we thought of that . It's 128 00:05:51,720 --> 00:05:54,959 a fundamentally unserious report . The 129 00:05:54,959 --> 00:05:57,399 sooner David Ellison takes over that 130 00:05:57,399 --> 00:06:00,809 network , the better . Another 131 00:06:00,809 --> 00:06:03,640 example of a fake headline that I saw 132 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:06,959 yesterday , war widening . Here's a 133 00:06:06,959 --> 00:06:08,959 real headline for you for an actual 134 00:06:09,119 --> 00:06:11,660 patriotic press . How about Iran 135 00:06:11,660 --> 00:06:14,359 shrinking , going underground . So , 136 00:06:14,519 --> 00:06:16,686 you see , Iran's leaders are hiding in 137 00:06:16,686 --> 00:06:18,963 bunkers and moving into civilian areas . 138 00:06:18,963 --> 00:06:21,309 The only thing that is widening . Is 139 00:06:21,309 --> 00:06:24,429 our advantage Not to mention our golf 140 00:06:24,429 --> 00:06:26,373 partners stepping up even more now 141 00:06:26,373 --> 00:06:29,070 going on the offense and have always 142 00:06:29,070 --> 00:06:30,903 been with us on the defense with 143 00:06:30,903 --> 00:06:33,630 collective and integrated air defenses . 144 00:06:35,299 --> 00:06:38,660 Our will It is unshakeable 145 00:06:39,070 --> 00:06:41,809 our options . Maximized and our 146 00:06:41,809 --> 00:06:44,690 capabilities still building , we're 147 00:06:44,690 --> 00:06:48,540 going up . They're going down As I 148 00:06:48,540 --> 00:06:50,651 said from the start , President Trump 149 00:06:50,739 --> 00:06:53,350 holds the cards . He'll determine the 150 00:06:53,350 --> 00:06:55,406 pace , the tempo , and the timing of 151 00:06:55,406 --> 00:06:57,980 this conflict . His hand firmly on the 152 00:06:57,980 --> 00:07:00,809 wheel . As well as on the throttle 153 00:07:00,809 --> 00:07:03,529 setting . America first , peace through 154 00:07:03,529 --> 00:07:07,420 strength in action . From day one , as 155 00:07:07,420 --> 00:07:09,476 our nation expects and the president 156 00:07:09,476 --> 00:07:11,698 demands , our warriors have fought with 157 00:07:11,698 --> 00:07:13,587 lethality , precision , and rapid 158 00:07:13,587 --> 00:07:15,980 innovation . In fact , today will be 159 00:07:15,980 --> 00:07:18,700 yet again the highest volume of strikes 160 00:07:18,700 --> 00:07:20,867 that America has put over the skies of 161 00:07:20,867 --> 00:07:23,089 Iran and Tehran . The number of sorties 162 00:07:23,089 --> 00:07:24,978 and number of bomber pulses , the 163 00:07:24,978 --> 00:07:27,144 highest yet , ramping up and only up . 164 00:07:28,350 --> 00:07:30,461 And quantity has a quality of its own 165 00:07:30,670 --> 00:07:32,837 as we continue to ramp up . Every tool 166 00:07:32,837 --> 00:07:35,070 of AI of cyber , of space , EW , 167 00:07:35,429 --> 00:07:37,318 counter UAS , you name it , we're 168 00:07:37,318 --> 00:07:39,850 employing it , blinding , confusing , 169 00:07:40,109 --> 00:07:44,109 and deceiving our enemy . Because we 170 00:07:44,109 --> 00:07:46,880 know who the good guys are here . And 171 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:49,489 the American people do too . And that 172 00:07:49,489 --> 00:07:52,839 makes my job simple . I serve God 173 00:07:53,609 --> 00:07:55,609 The troops , the country , the 174 00:07:55,609 --> 00:07:57,831 Constitution , and the President of the 175 00:07:57,831 --> 00:08:00,489 United States and answer only to those . 176 00:08:01,399 --> 00:08:03,880 All in service of victory on the 177 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:06,102 battlefield and the military objectives 178 00:08:06,102 --> 00:08:09,359 that we've laid out from day one defeat 179 00:08:09,359 --> 00:08:11,526 the missiles , missile launchers , and 180 00:08:11,526 --> 00:08:13,581 defense industrial base which I laid 181 00:08:13,581 --> 00:08:16,559 out today , defeat the navy and deny 182 00:08:16,559 --> 00:08:18,503 Iran the ability to have a nuclear 183 00:08:18,503 --> 00:08:21,880 weapon . Clear , decisive , achievable . 184 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:25,200 And Admiral Cooper knows , the CECOM 185 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:27,144 commander who we spent a couple of 186 00:08:27,144 --> 00:08:29,367 hours with last night . That in pursuit 187 00:08:29,367 --> 00:08:31,589 of those objectives we have his back in 188 00:08:31,589 --> 00:08:34,210 every way . His commanders know that 189 00:08:34,349 --> 00:08:36,405 and so do the troops in harm's way . 190 00:08:36,405 --> 00:08:38,516 Admiral Cooper gets what he needs the 191 00:08:38,516 --> 00:08:40,238 assets , the authorities , the 192 00:08:40,238 --> 00:08:42,510 munitions , you name it , we will stop 193 00:08:42,510 --> 00:08:45,960 at nothing to win . War is hell . 194 00:08:47,250 --> 00:08:50,349 War is chaos . And as we saw yesterday 195 00:08:50,349 --> 00:08:52,710 with the tragic crash of our KC-135 196 00:08:52,710 --> 00:08:56,380 tanker . Um , Bad things can happen . 197 00:08:57,409 --> 00:08:59,760 American heroes . All of them . 198 00:09:00,869 --> 00:09:03,320 And as I have with all of them , as we 199 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:05,799 have , we will greet those heroes at 200 00:09:05,799 --> 00:09:08,080 Dover and their sacrifice will only 201 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:10,024 recommit us to the resolve of this 202 00:09:10,024 --> 00:09:13,659 mission . But war in this context and 203 00:09:13,659 --> 00:09:16,710 in pursuit of peace . It is necessary , 204 00:09:17,080 --> 00:09:19,302 which is why each day on bended knee we 205 00:09:19,302 --> 00:09:21,191 continue to appeal to heaven . To 206 00:09:21,191 --> 00:09:23,413 Almighty God's providence to watch over 207 00:09:23,413 --> 00:09:25,524 and give special skill and confidence 208 00:09:25,524 --> 00:09:28,729 to our leaders and to our warriors . To 209 00:09:28,729 --> 00:09:31,450 those warriors who this nation prays 210 00:09:31,450 --> 00:09:33,617 for every single day , I hear from all 211 00:09:33,617 --> 00:09:35,561 of you out there who pray for them 212 00:09:35,561 --> 00:09:37,570 every day , stay on bended knee and 213 00:09:37,570 --> 00:09:40,010 pray for them . I continued to say to 214 00:09:40,010 --> 00:09:42,450 them , Godspeed . May the Lord bless 215 00:09:42,450 --> 00:09:45,549 you and keep you . And keep going . Mr . 216 00:09:45,679 --> 00:09:48,012 Chairman , over to you . Thank you , Mr . 217 00:09:48,012 --> 00:09:50,123 Secretary , and good morning , ladies 218 00:09:50,123 --> 00:09:50,109 and gentlemen , and thank you for 219 00:09:50,109 --> 00:09:52,276 joining us today . Uh , before I start 220 00:09:52,276 --> 00:09:54,498 with an update , I also want to address 221 00:09:54,498 --> 00:09:57,750 the tragic loss of our KC-135 refueling 222 00:09:57,750 --> 00:09:59,909 aircraft yesterday . The incident 223 00:09:59,909 --> 00:10:01,909 occurred over friendly territory in 224 00:10:01,909 --> 00:10:03,965 western Iraq while the crew was on a 225 00:10:03,965 --> 00:10:06,109 combat mission and again was not the 226 00:10:06,109 --> 00:10:08,276 result , as CEO has said , was not the 227 00:10:08,276 --> 00:10:10,331 result of hostile or friendly fire . 228 00:10:10,539 --> 00:10:12,706 We're still treating this as an active 229 00:10:12,706 --> 00:10:14,659 rescue and recovery operation . As 230 00:10:14,659 --> 00:10:16,603 CENTCOM announced this morning , 4 231 00:10:16,603 --> 00:10:18,659 airmen have been recovered , and the 232 00:10:18,659 --> 00:10:20,770 Air Force and US Central Command will 233 00:10:20,770 --> 00:10:22,937 provide updates as information becomes 234 00:10:22,937 --> 00:10:24,937 available . Please keep these brave 235 00:10:24,937 --> 00:10:27,159 airmen , their families , friends , and 236 00:10:27,159 --> 00:10:29,215 units in your thoughts in the coming 237 00:10:29,215 --> 00:10:31,690 hours and days . Our service members 238 00:10:31,700 --> 00:10:33,979 make an incredible sacrifice to go 239 00:10:33,979 --> 00:10:35,923 forward and do the things that the 240 00:10:35,923 --> 00:10:38,035 nation asks of them . It's a reminder 241 00:10:38,035 --> 00:10:40,201 of the true cost of the dedication and 242 00:10:40,201 --> 00:10:42,549 commitment of the joint force . We're 243 00:10:42,549 --> 00:10:44,869 also aware of a fire on board the USS 244 00:10:44,869 --> 00:10:47,036 Gerald R . Ford . We're thinking about 245 00:10:47,036 --> 00:10:49,202 the crew there who were injured in the 246 00:10:49,202 --> 00:10:50,980 fire . We believe and hope that 247 00:10:50,980 --> 00:10:52,758 everyone will be OK , and we're 248 00:10:52,758 --> 00:10:54,980 grateful for that . And for any further 249 00:10:54,980 --> 00:10:57,091 questions on that , we'd refer you to 250 00:10:57,091 --> 00:10:58,980 NASA , uh , or to the Navy . This 251 00:10:58,980 --> 00:11:00,880 morning we enter the 13th day of 252 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:03,239 Operation Epic Fury and we continue to 253 00:11:03,239 --> 00:11:05,183 make progress towards our military 254 00:11:05,183 --> 00:11:07,239 objectives . As the Secretary said , 255 00:11:07,239 --> 00:11:09,128 today will be our heaviest day of 256 00:11:09,128 --> 00:11:11,461 kinetic fires across the operating area . 257 00:11:11,461 --> 00:11:13,572 CENTCOM continues to attack ballistic 258 00:11:13,572 --> 00:11:15,739 missile and drone capabilities so that 259 00:11:15,739 --> 00:11:17,628 they are no longer a threat to US 260 00:11:17,628 --> 00:11:19,795 forces , our bases , or our partners . 261 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:22,209 They're continuing to destroy the 262 00:11:22,209 --> 00:11:24,098 Iranian navy to ensure freedom of 263 00:11:24,098 --> 00:11:27,169 navigation . And this means going after 264 00:11:27,169 --> 00:11:29,090 Iran's mine laying capability and 265 00:11:29,090 --> 00:11:31,034 destroying their ability to attack 266 00:11:31,034 --> 00:11:33,010 commercial vessels , and we're 267 00:11:33,010 --> 00:11:35,232 targeting their defense industrial base 268 00:11:35,232 --> 00:11:37,650 so they cannot rebuild the capabilities 269 00:11:37,650 --> 00:11:40,690 that can harm America's interests or 270 00:11:40,690 --> 00:11:43,479 our partners in the future . As Admiral 271 00:11:43,479 --> 00:11:46,239 Cooper said in his update on Wednesday , 272 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:48,760 Iranian combat power continues to 273 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:51,359 decline as a result of the continued 274 00:11:51,359 --> 00:11:53,692 strikes , as the Secretary talked about . 275 00:11:53,919 --> 00:11:56,086 We've attacked over 6000 targets , and 276 00:11:56,086 --> 00:11:58,400 our strike packages continue to launch 277 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:00,710 every hour , and we've maintained an 278 00:12:00,710 --> 00:12:03,520 unprecedented number of sorties up 279 00:12:03,520 --> 00:12:06,669 overhead of Iran . CENTCOM is now 280 00:12:06,669 --> 00:12:09,150 persistently over the enemy , and as a 281 00:12:09,150 --> 00:12:11,039 result we've seen a reduction in 282 00:12:11,039 --> 00:12:13,150 missile and one-way attack fires , as 283 00:12:13,150 --> 00:12:15,390 the Secretary said . In less than 2 284 00:12:15,390 --> 00:12:17,501 weeks we've rendered the Iranian navy 285 00:12:17,501 --> 00:12:19,950 combat ineffective and continued to 286 00:12:19,950 --> 00:12:22,909 attack naval vessels , including all of 287 00:12:22,909 --> 00:12:24,965 their Soleimani class warships which 288 00:12:24,965 --> 00:12:27,131 were armed with anti-ship missiles and 289 00:12:27,131 --> 00:12:29,390 anti-aircraft weapons . We've made 290 00:12:29,390 --> 00:12:31,279 progress , but Iran still has the 291 00:12:31,279 --> 00:12:33,446 capability to harm friendly forces and 292 00:12:33,446 --> 00:12:35,880 commercial shipping . And our work on 293 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:38,239 this effort continues , but I want to 294 00:12:38,239 --> 00:12:40,400 make something clear . The only thing 295 00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:42,960 preventing commercial traffic can flow 296 00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:45,071 through the straits right now , which 297 00:12:45,071 --> 00:12:47,349 there is some through the Straits , is , 298 00:12:47,349 --> 00:12:49,349 is Iran . They are the belligerents 299 00:12:49,349 --> 00:12:51,293 here holding , holding the straits 300 00:12:51,293 --> 00:12:53,516 closed , although there is some traffic 301 00:12:53,516 --> 00:12:55,682 moving through there . We've made it a 302 00:12:55,682 --> 00:12:57,793 priority to target Iran's mine laying 303 00:12:57,793 --> 00:12:59,849 enterprise . There are mine layers , 304 00:12:59,849 --> 00:13:01,627 the naval bases and depots , in 305 00:13:01,627 --> 00:13:03,627 addition to the missiles that could 306 00:13:03,627 --> 00:13:06,119 influence the straits , and CENTCOM 307 00:13:06,119 --> 00:13:08,500 continues to attack those efforts , and 308 00:13:08,500 --> 00:13:10,500 we continue to make progress on the 309 00:13:10,500 --> 00:13:12,667 industrial base to include factories , 310 00:13:12,667 --> 00:13:15,000 weapons , warehouses that are stored in , 311 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:17,380 and we will continue to do so in the 312 00:13:17,380 --> 00:13:20,590 coming days , especially today . Now , 313 00:13:20,630 --> 00:13:22,797 as I often do , I wanna share a little 314 00:13:22,797 --> 00:13:24,963 bit about our incredible joint force . 315 00:13:24,963 --> 00:13:26,686 Today I'm gonna talk about our 316 00:13:26,686 --> 00:13:28,908 incredible artillery force comprised of 317 00:13:28,908 --> 00:13:30,963 American soldiers and Marines who've 318 00:13:30,963 --> 00:13:33,241 been sinking ships , destroying depots , 319 00:13:33,241 --> 00:13:35,390 and launching Army tactical missile 320 00:13:35,390 --> 00:13:37,950 missile systems or attack . Precision 321 00:13:37,950 --> 00:13:40,349 strike missiles or prisms , and high 322 00:13:40,349 --> 00:13:43,750 mobility rocket systems or HAs from 323 00:13:43,750 --> 00:13:45,694 outside Iran , our army and Marine 324 00:13:45,694 --> 00:13:47,750 artillery men are hitting sites that 325 00:13:47,750 --> 00:13:50,909 Iran relies on to project power beyond 326 00:13:50,909 --> 00:13:53,187 their borders and protect our deployed . 327 00:13:53,859 --> 00:13:56,530 In just the 1st 13 days of this 328 00:13:56,530 --> 00:13:58,641 operation , our artillery forces have 329 00:13:58,641 --> 00:14:00,780 made history . They fired the first 330 00:14:00,780 --> 00:14:02,947 precision strike missiles ever used in 331 00:14:02,947 --> 00:14:04,836 combat , reaching deep into enemy 332 00:14:04,836 --> 00:14:07,219 territory . They've used Army attacks 333 00:14:07,219 --> 00:14:09,275 to sink multiple ships , including a 334 00:14:09,275 --> 00:14:11,275 submarine , and they've done all of 335 00:14:11,275 --> 00:14:13,960 this with the precision and 336 00:14:14,179 --> 00:14:15,979 determination that comes from 337 00:14:15,979 --> 00:14:18,739 relentless training and trust in each 338 00:14:18,739 --> 00:14:20,960 other and in their weapons systems . 339 00:14:21,369 --> 00:14:23,425 Yesterday I had the incredible honor 340 00:14:23,425 --> 00:14:25,591 and privilege of speaking with some of 341 00:14:25,591 --> 00:14:27,369 our young soldiers from the 3rd 342 00:14:27,369 --> 00:14:29,609 Battalion , 27th Field Artillery 343 00:14:29,609 --> 00:14:31,553 Regiment out of Fort Bragg , North 344 00:14:31,553 --> 00:14:34,330 Carolina , the unit and the crew that 345 00:14:34,330 --> 00:14:36,369 fired the first precision strike 346 00:14:36,369 --> 00:14:38,969 missiles . The soldiers I met came from 347 00:14:38,969 --> 00:14:41,247 all over this great country , New York , 348 00:14:41,247 --> 00:14:44,330 Texas , Delaware , California . One had 349 00:14:44,330 --> 00:14:48,109 been in the army only 6 months and been 350 00:14:48,109 --> 00:14:50,590 in the unit for 2 months and was 351 00:14:50,590 --> 00:14:52,849 already deployed . He was the youngest 352 00:14:52,849 --> 00:14:55,719 at 20 , but you would not know it from 353 00:14:55,719 --> 00:14:57,890 the way that they talked about their 354 00:14:57,890 --> 00:15:01,289 mission . The others were 22 and 28 355 00:15:01,289 --> 00:15:03,690 years old . They spoke with a sense of 356 00:15:03,690 --> 00:15:07,130 calm pride , purpose , and clarity that 357 00:15:07,130 --> 00:15:09,241 tells you clearly they understand the 358 00:15:09,241 --> 00:15:11,297 weight of what they're doing and the 359 00:15:11,297 --> 00:15:13,599 people who depend on them . I asked 360 00:15:13,599 --> 00:15:15,960 them to walk me through a fire mission . 361 00:15:16,039 --> 00:15:18,039 I asked not just what they do , but 362 00:15:18,039 --> 00:15:20,739 what they feel , especially those first 363 00:15:20,960 --> 00:15:23,619 crew members on this particular mission . 364 00:15:24,080 --> 00:15:26,247 These soldiers basically live in these 365 00:15:26,247 --> 00:15:28,247 vehicles behind us . The cab , very 366 00:15:28,247 --> 00:15:30,200 tight . Two folks sit next to each 367 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:32,256 other with the crew commander behind 368 00:15:32,256 --> 00:15:34,510 them . It's jammed inside there with 369 00:15:34,510 --> 00:15:36,989 their personal weapons and kit , um , 370 00:15:37,039 --> 00:15:38,919 and they sit and wait for a fire 371 00:15:38,919 --> 00:15:41,150 mission . And when that fire mission 372 00:15:41,150 --> 00:15:43,210 comes , they close the armored doors 373 00:15:43,390 --> 00:15:46,169 and begin to program the systems . Uh , 374 00:15:46,309 --> 00:15:48,520 they then throw 3 simple toggle 375 00:15:48,520 --> 00:15:51,049 switches and 10 to 15 ft behind them , 376 00:15:51,229 --> 00:15:53,869 a rocket motor ignites and the round is 377 00:15:53,869 --> 00:15:55,758 headed , uh , downrange to do the 378 00:15:55,758 --> 00:15:58,030 nation's work . I asked these 379 00:15:58,030 --> 00:15:59,989 youngsters , these young , awesome 380 00:15:59,989 --> 00:16:02,156 Americans , what does that feel like ? 381 00:16:02,156 --> 00:16:04,267 And one of them just looked at me and 382 00:16:04,267 --> 00:16:06,770 said , it's awesome . No drama , no 383 00:16:06,770 --> 00:16:08,881 hesitation in the middle of the day , 384 00:16:08,890 --> 00:16:11,223 in the middle of the night , in the sun , 385 00:16:11,223 --> 00:16:13,330 the rain , in the snow , flawless 386 00:16:13,330 --> 00:16:16,000 execution . Their marine counterparts 387 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:17,944 are out there doing the same thing 388 00:16:17,944 --> 00:16:20,729 every night . Same work , same pressure , 389 00:16:21,049 --> 00:16:23,969 same expectations , same results . And 390 00:16:23,969 --> 00:16:26,090 we hand tremendous and enormous 391 00:16:26,090 --> 00:16:28,423 responsibility to these young Americans . 392 00:16:28,700 --> 00:16:30,630 And they carry it with a level of 393 00:16:30,630 --> 00:16:33,580 maturity , grit , professionalism , and 394 00:16:33,580 --> 00:16:36,909 tenacity that makes me incredibly proud 395 00:16:36,909 --> 00:16:38,909 to be a part of their joint force . 396 00:16:39,229 --> 00:16:42,150 Their parents and families would and 397 00:16:42,150 --> 00:16:45,030 should be incredibly proud , and their 398 00:16:45,030 --> 00:16:47,229 leaders and I trust them to do the 399 00:16:47,229 --> 00:16:49,510 deeds that they must do in difficult 400 00:16:49,510 --> 00:16:53,299 circumstances every single time . I 401 00:16:53,299 --> 00:16:55,710 also want to touch today , a moment , 402 00:16:55,830 --> 00:16:58,052 uh , I want to touch for a moment today 403 00:16:58,052 --> 00:16:59,950 on their leadership . These young 404 00:16:59,950 --> 00:17:02,830 Americans are led by extraordinary 405 00:17:02,830 --> 00:17:05,209 young leaders out at the tactical edge . 406 00:17:05,589 --> 00:17:07,700 Yesterday , the battery commander and 407 00:17:07,700 --> 00:17:09,756 her NCO were there with this crew on 408 00:17:09,756 --> 00:17:12,030 the same video screen . The two of them 409 00:17:12,030 --> 00:17:14,141 hardly said a word . They didn't have 410 00:17:14,141 --> 00:17:16,589 to . Their eyes , uh , and in 411 00:17:16,589 --> 00:17:18,811 particular , the commander's eyes , you 412 00:17:18,811 --> 00:17:20,750 could see the quiet , trust and 413 00:17:20,750 --> 00:17:22,806 confidence she had in these soldiers 414 00:17:22,806 --> 00:17:25,028 and the rest of their battery . It came 415 00:17:25,028 --> 00:17:26,806 through loud and clear , and we 416 00:17:26,806 --> 00:17:28,861 appreciate their leadership . When I 417 00:17:28,861 --> 00:17:30,972 asked these soldiers yesterday , what 418 00:17:30,972 --> 00:17:33,139 is it that you need from the secretary 419 00:17:33,139 --> 00:17:32,750 and I , they looked at each other , 420 00:17:32,869 --> 00:17:34,980 paused for a moment , and looked back 421 00:17:34,980 --> 00:17:37,209 at me and said , More rounds , sir . It 422 00:17:37,209 --> 00:17:39,969 was awesome . So thank you to those 423 00:17:39,969 --> 00:17:42,136 soldiers and Marines out on the firing 424 00:17:42,136 --> 00:17:44,247 line supporting our mission and thank 425 00:17:44,247 --> 00:17:46,530 you to their families . Our joint force 426 00:17:46,530 --> 00:17:48,800 will continue today to deliver dynamic 427 00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:51,022 fires against the enemy from the land , 428 00:17:51,329 --> 00:17:53,790 sea , and air . We remain deeply 429 00:17:53,890 --> 00:17:56,359 grateful for their service and for the 430 00:17:56,359 --> 00:17:58,526 3rd time today I'll mention that today 431 00:17:58,526 --> 00:18:00,810 will be our busiest day . This mission 432 00:18:00,810 --> 00:18:02,699 remains complex , dangerous , and 433 00:18:02,699 --> 00:18:05,089 difficult , and every service member 434 00:18:05,369 --> 00:18:07,591 has a family waiting for them to return 435 00:18:07,591 --> 00:18:09,702 home , and I want to thank all of the 436 00:18:09,702 --> 00:18:11,925 families today who are supporting their 437 00:18:11,925 --> 00:18:14,079 deployed forces and those doing the 438 00:18:14,079 --> 00:18:16,510 work here in the states . On a personal 439 00:18:16,510 --> 00:18:18,621 note today , I also want to thank the 440 00:18:18,621 --> 00:18:20,677 joint staff and the team that I have 441 00:18:20,677 --> 00:18:22,843 the pleasure of working with , some of 442 00:18:22,843 --> 00:18:25,066 them right here in this room , they are 443 00:18:25,066 --> 00:18:28,869 working 24 hours a day to deliver the 444 00:18:28,869 --> 00:18:31,229 options that we must to the secretary 445 00:18:31,229 --> 00:18:34,510 and to the president . Today as I close , 446 00:18:34,750 --> 00:18:36,639 I ask , uh , that we remember our 447 00:18:36,639 --> 00:18:39,109 fallen and those participating in the 448 00:18:39,109 --> 00:18:41,430 recovery operations to bring home our 449 00:18:41,430 --> 00:18:44,550 lost KC-135 crew , that we keep those 450 00:18:44,550 --> 00:18:47,069 service members and their families in 451 00:18:47,069 --> 00:18:49,310 their thoughts and prayers . Those are 452 00:18:49,310 --> 00:18:52,180 very , very , very tough days when that 453 00:18:52,180 --> 00:18:54,630 knock comes on the door for people on 454 00:18:54,630 --> 00:18:57,550 both sides of the door . Again , thank 455 00:18:57,550 --> 00:18:59,883 you to our deployed . Thank you to , uh , 456 00:18:59,883 --> 00:19:02,106 our fallen and to their families and to 457 00:19:02,106 --> 00:19:04,383 the joint force . And with that , I'll , 458 00:19:04,383 --> 00:19:06,217 uh , turn it back to you , sir . 459 00:19:07,079 --> 00:19:09,357 Alexander Ingersoll , One America News , 460 00:19:09,357 --> 00:19:11,523 um , can you tell us a little bit more 461 00:19:11,523 --> 00:19:13,690 about the Strait of Hormuz and when it 462 00:19:13,690 --> 00:19:15,912 might be fully operational again and um 463 00:19:15,912 --> 00:19:17,801 how do we ensure our objective of 464 00:19:17,801 --> 00:19:20,719 denying Iran a nuclear weapon if they 465 00:19:20,719 --> 00:19:22,330 continue to align with our ? 466 00:19:22,330 --> 00:19:24,625 Adversaries . So I'll take it and chime 467 00:19:24,625 --> 00:19:26,736 in , Mr . Chairman , if you'd like at 468 00:19:26,736 --> 00:19:28,847 all . Um , I , I wanna emphasize what 469 00:19:28,847 --> 00:19:31,069 the chairman said about that . The only 470 00:19:31,069 --> 00:19:30,305 thing prohibiting transit in the 471 00:19:30,305 --> 00:19:32,416 straits right now is Iran shooting at 472 00:19:32,416 --> 00:19:34,704 shipping . It is open for transit 473 00:19:34,704 --> 00:19:36,926 should Iran not do that . Now there's a 474 00:19:36,926 --> 00:19:38,815 reason why we chose as one of our 475 00:19:38,815 --> 00:19:41,175 primary objectives destroy the navy . 476 00:19:41,425 --> 00:19:43,592 We understood the ability to interdict 477 00:19:43,592 --> 00:19:45,925 shipping is something Iran has done for 478 00:19:46,305 --> 00:19:48,416 40 years . It's key terrain . They've 479 00:19:48,416 --> 00:19:50,361 used it as leverage . The world is 480 00:19:50,361 --> 00:19:52,527 seeing what they'll do . Uh , to fight 481 00:19:52,527 --> 00:19:54,472 back in that context and so , um , 482 00:19:54,472 --> 00:19:56,416 we've heard them talk about taking 483 00:19:56,416 --> 00:19:58,305 various measures , uh , and we're 484 00:19:58,305 --> 00:20:00,527 planning for all of them . So we have a 485 00:20:00,527 --> 00:20:00,489 plan for every option here . We're 486 00:20:00,489 --> 00:20:02,600 working with our interagency partners 487 00:20:02,600 --> 00:20:04,822 and , uh , that's , that's not a strait 488 00:20:04,822 --> 00:20:06,933 we're gonna allow to remain contested 489 00:20:06,933 --> 00:20:09,045 or with a lack of , of flow of , of , 490 00:20:09,045 --> 00:20:11,211 of commercial goods . So we're , we're 491 00:20:11,211 --> 00:20:13,378 aware of that . We're laser focused on 492 00:20:13,378 --> 00:20:15,433 our military . Objectives , but also 493 00:20:15,433 --> 00:20:17,545 want to make sure our partners across 494 00:20:17,545 --> 00:20:17,520 this government understand we're 495 00:20:17,520 --> 00:20:19,560 working with you to make sure that 496 00:20:19,560 --> 00:20:21,671 energy flows , and that's , that's an 497 00:20:21,671 --> 00:20:23,838 important part and the second question 498 00:20:23,838 --> 00:20:25,838 was on the nuclear capability as we 499 00:20:25,838 --> 00:20:25,800 said from the beginning , their 500 00:20:25,800 --> 00:20:27,911 strategy shifted just from defense of 501 00:20:27,911 --> 00:20:29,578 their nuclear facilities to a 502 00:20:29,578 --> 00:20:31,411 conventional umbrella of so many 503 00:20:31,411 --> 00:20:33,300 missiles . Uh , that no one would 504 00:20:33,300 --> 00:20:35,522 challenge their ability to their , uh , 505 00:20:35,522 --> 00:20:37,856 the opportunity to defeat their missile , 506 00:20:37,856 --> 00:20:40,078 their nuclear capabilities , and it was 507 00:20:40,078 --> 00:20:42,133 growing by the day . So with Iran at 508 00:20:42,133 --> 00:20:44,300 its weakest moment , taking , going at 509 00:20:44,300 --> 00:20:46,189 that ballistic missile capability 510 00:20:46,189 --> 00:20:48,411 creates an opportunity to ensure , uh , 511 00:20:48,411 --> 00:20:50,578 at any point in time that Iran give up 512 00:20:50,578 --> 00:20:52,689 their nuclear capabilities or if need 513 00:20:52,689 --> 00:20:54,856 be , you prevent them from doing it as 514 00:20:54,856 --> 00:20:56,856 the president has done once already 515 00:20:56,856 --> 00:20:56,510 with Operation Midnight Hammer , uh , 516 00:20:56,680 --> 00:20:58,880 obliterating those capabilities . So 517 00:20:58,880 --> 00:21:01,102 the conventional side is a huge part of 518 00:21:01,102 --> 00:21:02,880 getting at . Uh denying nuclear 519 00:21:02,880 --> 00:21:04,991 capabilities if you have anything you 520 00:21:04,991 --> 00:21:06,991 want to add , um , I appreciate the 521 00:21:06,991 --> 00:21:08,991 question . I'm not gonna comment on 522 00:21:08,991 --> 00:21:10,936 what we may or may not be thinking 523 00:21:10,936 --> 00:21:13,102 about any options that the joint force 524 00:21:13,102 --> 00:21:12,609 could be tasked to do in the future , 525 00:21:12,709 --> 00:21:14,653 whether it's on the nuke matter or 526 00:21:14,653 --> 00:21:16,820 anything else . Thank you though , but 527 00:21:16,820 --> 00:21:19,042 we have options . The mines that are in 528 00:21:19,042 --> 00:21:20,987 the Strait of Hormuz and , and our 529 00:21:20,987 --> 00:21:24,819 ability to , you know . We , we retain 530 00:21:24,819 --> 00:21:27,020 a range of options to solve a whole 531 00:21:27,020 --> 00:21:29,650 variety of problems , um , and , uh , 532 00:21:29,660 --> 00:21:32,099 that is one set of options that we have , 533 00:21:32,180 --> 00:21:34,900 uh , uh , you know , that we hold on to . 534 00:21:35,369 --> 00:21:38,390 So thank you . Thank you , Secretary 535 00:21:38,390 --> 00:21:40,723 Hegseth . Mary Margaret with Daily Wire . 536 00:21:40,723 --> 00:21:42,779 Uh , thank you both for the update . 537 00:21:42,779 --> 00:21:44,779 ABC News has updated its story from 538 00:21:44,779 --> 00:21:47,209 yesterday , clarifying that the FBI 539 00:21:47,209 --> 00:21:49,930 report on Iran possibly striking 540 00:21:49,989 --> 00:21:52,211 California was unverified . I just want 541 00:21:52,211 --> 00:21:54,109 to ask you , what impact did that 542 00:21:54,109 --> 00:21:56,220 original reporting have on the public 543 00:21:56,220 --> 00:21:58,390 and does Iran even have the ability to 544 00:21:58,390 --> 00:22:00,501 conduct such a strike ? And then just 545 00:22:00,501 --> 00:22:02,612 really quickly on another note , um , 546 00:22:02,612 --> 00:22:04,949 what role did Vice President Vance play 547 00:22:04,949 --> 00:22:07,060 in counseling the president , uh , on 548 00:22:07,060 --> 00:22:09,171 this conflict ? Can you speak to some 549 00:22:09,171 --> 00:22:10,839 of the media reporting , uh , 550 00:22:10,849 --> 00:22:12,849 suggesting that there is a division 551 00:22:12,849 --> 00:22:15,016 there ? That reporting on California , 552 00:22:15,016 --> 00:22:17,560 um , obviously had no impact on us . Uh , 553 00:22:17,569 --> 00:22:19,910 also we're used to bad reporting . 554 00:22:20,170 --> 00:22:22,337 We're used to ill-informed reporting . 555 00:22:22,337 --> 00:22:24,670 And so it doesn't change how we operate , 556 00:22:24,670 --> 00:22:26,670 but we engage with it to prove that 557 00:22:26,670 --> 00:22:29,060 it's not true , as CEO has done so well . 558 00:22:29,280 --> 00:22:32,160 Uh , ultimately , uh , I look at the 559 00:22:32,160 --> 00:22:34,327 reports on a daily basis of threat our 560 00:22:34,327 --> 00:22:36,438 in agencies all over it . My partners 561 00:22:36,438 --> 00:22:38,604 across government are all over looking 562 00:22:38,604 --> 00:22:40,771 for indications and warnings , keeping 563 00:22:40,771 --> 00:22:42,993 the American people safe . Uh , there's 564 00:22:42,993 --> 00:22:45,216 a lot of things Iran has said it can do 565 00:22:45,216 --> 00:22:47,549 for , for a long time , um , thankfully , 566 00:22:47,549 --> 00:22:49,604 including engaging their proxies and 567 00:22:49,604 --> 00:22:48,800 getting them involved in the fight , 568 00:22:48,839 --> 00:22:51,172 which they haven't been able to do . Uh , 569 00:22:51,172 --> 00:22:53,395 so we're watching that very closely and 570 00:22:53,395 --> 00:22:55,117 as far as , as far as the vice 571 00:22:55,117 --> 00:22:57,117 president , uh , he's an incredible 572 00:22:57,117 --> 00:22:59,172 member , leader of this team as well 573 00:22:59,172 --> 00:23:01,283 alongside the president and secretary 574 00:23:01,283 --> 00:23:03,506 of state . I , I can't say enough great 575 00:23:03,506 --> 00:23:05,561 stuff about this team , how it works 576 00:23:05,561 --> 00:23:07,672 together , how it provides options to 577 00:23:07,672 --> 00:23:09,895 the president , uh , and , and the vice 578 00:23:09,895 --> 00:23:11,895 president every single day is a key 579 00:23:11,895 --> 00:23:14,061 voice in that , an indispensable voice 580 00:23:14,061 --> 00:23:16,061 in that actually . Um In the middle 581 00:23:16,061 --> 00:23:18,530 there , red tie . Yes , um , Michael 582 00:23:18,530 --> 00:23:20,530 Gordon , Wall Street Journal , uh , 583 00:23:20,530 --> 00:23:23,969 Iran is thought to have 440 kg of 584 00:23:23,969 --> 00:23:26,140 highly enriched uranium in at least 2 585 00:23:26,140 --> 00:23:28,979 locations and several 1000 kg of lower 586 00:23:28,979 --> 00:23:31,910 purity material . Can you conclude this 587 00:23:31,910 --> 00:23:34,125 mission successfully ? Without 588 00:23:34,125 --> 00:23:36,165 physically taking control of that 589 00:23:36,165 --> 00:23:38,285 material or are you counting on 590 00:23:38,285 --> 00:23:41,724 diplomatic negotiations to provide some 591 00:23:41,724 --> 00:23:43,613 measure of control leading to its 592 00:23:43,613 --> 00:23:45,724 removal ? You've mentioned missiles , 593 00:23:45,724 --> 00:23:47,668 you've mentioned drones , military 594 00:23:47,668 --> 00:23:49,835 industry . You haven't stipulated that 595 00:23:49,835 --> 00:23:51,724 taking care of that material is a 596 00:23:51,724 --> 00:23:53,891 mission priority . We've said from the 597 00:23:53,891 --> 00:23:56,057 beginning deny Iran nuclear weapons as 598 00:23:56,057 --> 00:23:58,530 a core mission . We have , we retain 599 00:23:58,530 --> 00:24:00,969 options across the spectrum to ensure 600 00:24:00,969 --> 00:24:02,913 that they never do , and President 601 00:24:02,913 --> 00:24:04,969 Trump has said that . And that's why 602 00:24:04,969 --> 00:24:06,969 this mission actually couldn't have 603 00:24:06,969 --> 00:24:09,191 been possible without Midnight Hammer . 604 00:24:09,191 --> 00:24:11,080 Without what those B-2s did going 605 00:24:11,080 --> 00:24:12,747 across and obliterating those 606 00:24:12,747 --> 00:24:14,969 facilities , that set the condition for 607 00:24:14,969 --> 00:24:17,136 the opportunity to do what we're doing 608 00:24:17,136 --> 00:24:17,040 now , so he's kept the president's kept 609 00:24:17,040 --> 00:24:19,373 his eye focused on nuclear capabilities , 610 00:24:19,439 --> 00:24:21,328 and I will say we have a range of 611 00:24:21,328 --> 00:24:23,161 options up to and including Iran 612 00:24:23,161 --> 00:24:25,272 deciding . That they will , uh , give 613 00:24:25,272 --> 00:24:27,272 those up , which of course we would 614 00:24:27,272 --> 00:24:29,495 welcome . They weren't willing to do in 615 00:24:29,495 --> 00:24:31,606 negotiations . Uh , I would not never 616 00:24:31,606 --> 00:24:33,828 tell this group or the world what we're 617 00:24:33,828 --> 00:24:33,449 willing to do or how far we're willing 618 00:24:33,449 --> 00:24:36,219 to go , uh , but we have options for 619 00:24:36,219 --> 00:24:38,770 sure right next to them . No , right 620 00:24:38,770 --> 00:24:40,992 there , right here , sir , right here . 621 00:24:41,199 --> 00:24:43,366 I'll take it quarter zip right there , 622 00:24:43,366 --> 00:24:45,588 yep , no , you , yep , OK , thank you , 623 00:24:45,588 --> 00:24:48,140 sir . Um , can you please provide some 624 00:24:48,140 --> 00:24:50,307 guidance ? Uh , it's been 13 days in . 625 00:24:50,307 --> 00:24:52,473 Can you please provide some guidance , 626 00:24:52,473 --> 00:24:54,584 both of you , about the strike on the 627 00:24:54,584 --> 00:24:56,540 girls' school ? Um , there's been 628 00:24:56,540 --> 00:24:58,380 reporting that indicates that 629 00:24:58,380 --> 00:25:00,547 preliminary inquiry , even though it's 630 00:25:00,547 --> 00:25:02,436 ongoing , has determined that the 631 00:25:02,436 --> 00:25:04,780 airstrike was carried out , um , by the 632 00:25:04,780 --> 00:25:06,891 United States . Uh , given that there 633 00:25:06,891 --> 00:25:09,002 is another competing narrative , uh , 634 00:25:09,002 --> 00:25:11,169 that this was done intentionally , can 635 00:25:11,169 --> 00:25:13,391 you provide us with some guidance about 636 00:25:13,391 --> 00:25:15,724 whether , uh , this , uh , was the case ? 637 00:25:15,829 --> 00:25:18,050 Secondly , um , we are also getting , 638 00:25:18,510 --> 00:25:20,732 uh , we had heard yesterday from Energy 639 00:25:20,732 --> 00:25:22,899 Secretary Wright , uh , that said that 640 00:25:22,899 --> 00:25:24,954 the US Navy would not be ready until 641 00:25:24,954 --> 00:25:27,177 the end of the month to provide escorts 642 00:25:27,177 --> 00:25:29,288 through the state of Hormuz . Is that 643 00:25:29,288 --> 00:25:31,343 an accurate assessment ? And if so , 644 00:25:31,343 --> 00:25:33,621 can you tell us why ? Thank you . Well , 645 00:25:33,621 --> 00:25:35,788 with an issue on your first topic , an 646 00:25:35,788 --> 00:25:37,788 issue of such seriousness , um , we 647 00:25:37,788 --> 00:25:39,899 don't , we're not gonna let reporting 648 00:25:39,899 --> 00:25:41,621 lead us or force our hand into 649 00:25:41,621 --> 00:25:43,677 indicating , uh , what happened in a 650 00:25:43,677 --> 00:25:45,843 particular situation because the truth 651 00:25:45,843 --> 00:25:47,954 matters . So I can report that CETCOM 652 00:25:47,954 --> 00:25:50,177 has designated an investigating officer 653 00:25:50,180 --> 00:25:52,291 to complete a command investigation . 654 00:25:52,291 --> 00:25:54,291 Uh , the command investigation will 655 00:25:54,291 --> 00:25:56,347 take as long as necessary to address 656 00:25:56,347 --> 00:25:58,180 all the matters surrounding this 657 00:25:58,180 --> 00:26:00,013 incident , and the investigating 658 00:26:00,013 --> 00:26:02,180 officer is from outside CENTCOM and is 659 00:26:02,180 --> 00:26:01,819 a is a general officer , but I will 660 00:26:01,819 --> 00:26:04,250 note . To this group and to the world , 661 00:26:04,750 --> 00:26:06,528 there's only one entity in this 662 00:26:06,528 --> 00:26:08,619 conflict , uh , between us and Iran 663 00:26:08,619 --> 00:26:10,390 that never targets civilians , 664 00:26:10,750 --> 00:26:12,806 literally never target civilians . I 665 00:26:12,806 --> 00:26:15,030 look at the process that's used on 666 00:26:15,030 --> 00:26:17,390 dynamic strikes or on boat strikes and 667 00:26:17,390 --> 00:26:21,069 others . We have a very high fidelity 668 00:26:21,069 --> 00:26:23,013 process in that case , so we don't 669 00:26:23,013 --> 00:26:25,469 target . Iran does . We will 670 00:26:25,469 --> 00:26:27,525 investigate . We'll get to the truth 671 00:26:27,525 --> 00:26:29,580 and we'll share it when we have it . 672 00:26:29,580 --> 00:26:31,636 Absolutely . And what was the second 673 00:26:31,636 --> 00:26:30,959 question Strait of Hormuz about the 674 00:26:30,959 --> 00:26:34,239 Navy , uh , it's a tactically complex 675 00:26:34,239 --> 00:26:36,350 environment before I think we want to 676 00:26:36,350 --> 00:26:38,517 take anything through there at scale , 677 00:26:38,517 --> 00:26:40,517 we want to make sure that we do the 678 00:26:40,517 --> 00:26:42,739 work . Pursuant to our current military 679 00:26:42,739 --> 00:26:44,961 objectives to , to do , uh , to do that 680 00:26:44,961 --> 00:26:46,628 safely and smartly , so we're 681 00:26:46,628 --> 00:26:48,739 continuing to develop and we do a lot 682 00:26:48,739 --> 00:26:50,906 of work and like I said this is , uh , 683 00:26:50,906 --> 00:26:53,017 it is dynamic , but this is , I think 684 00:26:53,017 --> 00:26:55,128 almost by 20% the largest day of , of 685 00:26:55,128 --> 00:26:57,072 strikes . Uh , and as I said , our 686 00:26:57,072 --> 00:26:58,961 intelligence just gets better and 687 00:26:58,961 --> 00:27:00,850 better . That feedback loop feeds 688 00:27:00,850 --> 00:27:03,183 itself , and as we refine those targets , 689 00:27:03,183 --> 00:27:05,406 it , it exponentially increases what we 690 00:27:05,406 --> 00:27:07,630 can hit and why to include strategic 691 00:27:07,630 --> 00:27:09,686 things the world's talking about and 692 00:27:09,686 --> 00:27:11,908 looking at . And it's our job to have a 693 00:27:11,908 --> 00:27:14,241 plan for it , which we do to address it , 694 00:27:14,241 --> 00:27:16,408 uh , and ensure that the president has 695 00:27:16,408 --> 00:27:18,630 options . Uh , we've done that from the 696 00:27:18,630 --> 00:27:17,790 beginning in this department . He'll 697 00:27:17,790 --> 00:27:20,012 have options on that , on that topic as 698 00:27:20,012 --> 00:27:22,346 well right here about that strike , sir . 699 00:27:22,719 --> 00:27:24,589 Um , an investigation is an 700 00:27:24,589 --> 00:27:26,756 investigation . That's what it is . It 701 00:27:26,756 --> 00:27:28,978 doesn't mean anything other than that . 702 00:27:28,978 --> 00:27:31,033 Yes , uh , Ryan Morgan with the Epic 703 00:27:31,033 --> 00:27:33,256 Times , uh , regarding today's busy day 704 00:27:33,256 --> 00:27:35,930 of strikes , um , last week you guys 705 00:27:35,930 --> 00:27:39,510 discussed the . Progress of the air 706 00:27:39,510 --> 00:27:41,829 campaign to gain air superiority and 707 00:27:41,829 --> 00:27:44,910 the transition from these standoff 708 00:27:44,910 --> 00:27:48,010 weapons launched at range to more 709 00:27:48,030 --> 00:27:51,189 overhead strikes , can you now say that 710 00:27:51,189 --> 00:27:53,329 these strikes today are going to rely 711 00:27:53,869 --> 00:27:55,869 entirely on stand-in over the top 712 00:27:55,869 --> 00:27:59,869 weapons , or are standoff range weapons 713 00:27:59,869 --> 00:28:02,091 still in play ? It's a great question . 714 00:28:02,091 --> 00:28:04,147 I can say based on the report I read 715 00:28:04,147 --> 00:28:06,430 this morning at 0600 . Uh , only 1% of 716 00:28:06,430 --> 00:28:08,430 the munitions we're using today are 717 00:28:08,430 --> 00:28:10,597 standoff munitions . The rest are over 718 00:28:10,597 --> 00:28:13,270 the top , um , the types of which we 719 00:28:13,270 --> 00:28:15,214 have a plethora , uh , which was , 720 00:28:15,310 --> 00:28:17,532 which was our goal from the beginning . 721 00:28:17,532 --> 00:28:19,310 You use standoff which are more 722 00:28:19,310 --> 00:28:21,366 exquisite . You transition to a much 723 00:28:21,366 --> 00:28:23,477 larger magazine depth , ensuring that 724 00:28:23,477 --> 00:28:25,643 you're preserving all the capabilities 725 00:28:25,643 --> 00:28:25,569 you have and your options across , uh , 726 00:28:25,630 --> 00:28:27,709 the force . Absolutely . Iran placed 727 00:28:27,709 --> 00:28:29,765 any mines since the war started ? Is 728 00:28:29,765 --> 00:28:33,000 Iran placing new mines ? Um , we've 729 00:28:33,000 --> 00:28:34,944 heard them talk about it just like 730 00:28:34,944 --> 00:28:37,056 you've reported recklessly and wildly 731 00:28:37,056 --> 00:28:39,167 about it , um , but there's , we have 732 00:28:39,167 --> 00:28:41,222 no clear evidence , we have no clear 733 00:28:41,222 --> 00:28:43,556 evidence of that . Thank you , sir . Uh , 734 00:28:43,556 --> 00:28:43,319 Mr . Secretary , given everything the 735 00:28:43,319 --> 00:28:45,263 US has accomplished in the last 24 736 00:28:45,263 --> 00:28:47,375 hours , uh , as of today , how do you 737 00:28:47,375 --> 00:28:49,541 define success in this military option 738 00:28:49,541 --> 00:28:51,597 and has that definition changed from 739 00:28:51,597 --> 00:28:53,486 day one ? And also regarding Iran 740 00:28:53,486 --> 00:28:55,541 government telling countries hosting 741 00:28:55,541 --> 00:28:57,800 USA American bases that they could face 742 00:28:57,800 --> 00:28:59,800 attacks . Um , what is the Pentagon 743 00:28:59,800 --> 00:29:01,967 doing about that ? First question is , 744 00:29:01,967 --> 00:29:04,022 what is the . Objective . How do you 745 00:29:04,022 --> 00:29:06,133 define success as of today ? Yeah , I 746 00:29:06,133 --> 00:29:08,078 mean , we like , we define success 747 00:29:08,078 --> 00:29:10,739 again , 1312 days in , 13 days in . By 748 00:29:10,739 --> 00:29:12,850 reaching the military objectives that 749 00:29:12,850 --> 00:29:14,795 we've laid out launchers , missile 750 00:29:14,795 --> 00:29:16,906 launchers , defense industrial base , 751 00:29:16,906 --> 00:29:18,906 their navy , the ability to project 752 00:29:18,906 --> 00:29:18,819 power in the naval sense , leading 753 00:29:18,819 --> 00:29:20,875 toward denying them to get a nuclear 754 00:29:20,875 --> 00:29:23,097 weapon , and we've got internal metrics 755 00:29:23,097 --> 00:29:25,208 that look at that , that we represent 756 00:29:25,208 --> 00:29:25,079 to the president who then can decide , 757 00:29:25,540 --> 00:29:27,373 um , how , how long he'd like to 758 00:29:27,373 --> 00:29:29,540 continue in pursuit of those mil those 759 00:29:29,540 --> 00:29:31,596 military objectives . So that hasn't 760 00:29:31,596 --> 00:29:33,818 changed . There's a lot of things a lot 761 00:29:33,818 --> 00:29:35,929 of people talk about . Uh , what they 762 00:29:35,929 --> 00:29:38,040 want us to do or what we should do or 763 00:29:38,040 --> 00:29:37,380 what we should stay focused on , and 764 00:29:37,380 --> 00:29:39,602 again I've , I've addressed this before 765 00:29:39,602 --> 00:29:41,713 and I think it's worth saying again , 766 00:29:41,713 --> 00:29:44,089 um , mission creep or expansive 767 00:29:44,089 --> 00:29:47,189 missions or prolonged timelines or 768 00:29:47,339 --> 00:29:49,561 democracy building or nation building , 769 00:29:49,561 --> 00:29:51,672 you , you name it , has not been part 770 00:29:51,672 --> 00:29:53,839 of what President Trump wants us to be 771 00:29:53,839 --> 00:29:55,617 involved in . We're solving for 772 00:29:55,617 --> 00:29:57,450 something here , this particular 773 00:29:57,450 --> 00:29:59,672 mission set , uh , but also recognizing 774 00:29:59,672 --> 00:30:01,450 this country's conditioned . To 775 00:30:01,450 --> 00:30:03,617 previous leaders , whether it's George 776 00:30:03,617 --> 00:30:05,839 W . Bush or Barack Obama or Joe Biden , 777 00:30:05,839 --> 00:30:07,672 who had these expansive nebulous 778 00:30:07,672 --> 00:30:09,895 mission sets that kept changing all the 779 00:30:09,895 --> 00:30:12,061 time , so the timeline kept moving and 780 00:30:12,061 --> 00:30:14,172 we kept pouring more troops in and on 781 00:30:14,172 --> 00:30:15,950 the ground and then pretty soon 782 00:30:15,950 --> 00:30:17,672 everyone wonders like I did in 783 00:30:17,672 --> 00:30:19,506 Afghanistan in 2012 , what's our 784 00:30:19,506 --> 00:30:21,561 mission here . I'm not , I , I'm not 785 00:30:21,561 --> 00:30:23,783 clear what it is . We're , we're taking 786 00:30:23,783 --> 00:30:25,895 the opposite approach here and saying 787 00:30:25,895 --> 00:30:28,061 we've defined these objectives . We're 788 00:30:28,061 --> 00:30:29,839 pursuing those objectives . The 789 00:30:29,839 --> 00:30:32,006 president has his hand on the throttle 790 00:30:32,006 --> 00:30:33,839 and we'll decide ultimately when 791 00:30:33,839 --> 00:30:33,680 they've been reached that serve the 792 00:30:33,680 --> 00:30:35,513 purposes of the United States of 793 00:30:35,513 --> 00:30:37,569 America , American interests first . 794 00:30:39,000 --> 00:30:40,778 Yeah , right here . Thank you , 795 00:30:40,778 --> 00:30:42,944 Secretary Hexeth . Polls show over 80% 796 00:30:42,944 --> 00:30:45,111 of Republicans support the president's 797 00:30:45,111 --> 00:30:47,333 military . Action in Iran , but there's 798 00:30:47,333 --> 00:30:49,278 some consternation in parts of the 799 00:30:49,278 --> 00:30:51,389 party , particularly from your fellow 800 00:30:51,389 --> 00:30:53,278 Fox News alum Tucker Carlson . He 801 00:30:53,278 --> 00:30:53,005 called the war disgusting and evil , 802 00:30:53,265 --> 00:30:54,987 and then said of unconditional 803 00:30:54,987 --> 00:30:56,987 surrender , which the president has 804 00:30:56,987 --> 00:30:59,098 called for , means foreign troops get 805 00:30:59,098 --> 00:31:01,321 to rape your wives and daughters . Have 806 00:31:01,321 --> 00:31:01,185 you heard these comments and what's 807 00:31:01,185 --> 00:31:03,505 your reaction to them ? We're busy 808 00:31:03,505 --> 00:31:05,672 executing on behalf of great patriotic 809 00:31:05,672 --> 00:31:07,783 Americans with a clear mission . Uh , 810 00:31:07,783 --> 00:31:09,727 that's 47 years overdue . Uh , and 811 00:31:09,727 --> 00:31:11,894 we're gonna execute on that regardless 812 00:31:11,894 --> 00:31:13,949 of what people say about it . Yeah , 813 00:31:13,949 --> 00:31:16,005 right here , Checker , you have said 814 00:31:16,005 --> 00:31:18,172 that the US military has essentially , 815 00:31:18,172 --> 00:31:19,949 uh , aerial superiority , naval 816 00:31:19,949 --> 00:31:22,061 superiority over Iran , yet we're not 817 00:31:22,061 --> 00:31:23,894 escorting ships to the Strait of 818 00:31:23,894 --> 00:31:25,949 Hormuth . Why ? How did you not plan 819 00:31:25,949 --> 00:31:28,160 for this ? We , we plan for it . We 820 00:31:28,160 --> 00:31:31,699 recognize it , um . Because ultimately , 821 00:31:31,869 --> 00:31:33,980 uh , we wanna do it sequentially in a 822 00:31:33,980 --> 00:31:36,147 way that makes the most sense for what 823 00:31:36,147 --> 00:31:38,091 we want to achieve and ensure that 824 00:31:38,091 --> 00:31:40,425 we're , we're sending the right signals , 825 00:31:40,425 --> 00:31:40,400 uh , to the world when we do so . So 826 00:31:40,400 --> 00:31:42,567 when Chris Wright speaks or we speak , 827 00:31:42,567 --> 00:31:44,789 it's based on a full assessment of , of 828 00:31:44,789 --> 00:31:46,844 what we're , what we're up against , 829 00:31:46,844 --> 00:31:48,900 what we wanna say to the world , how 830 00:31:48,900 --> 00:31:48,859 that we want them to see and understand 831 00:31:48,859 --> 00:31:50,859 the conflict . It's like this whole 832 00:31:50,859 --> 00:31:52,748 idea . Idea of the war widening , 833 00:31:52,748 --> 00:31:54,915 that's what the press wants to make it 834 00:31:54,915 --> 00:31:54,493 look like , like it's widening and 835 00:31:54,493 --> 00:31:56,660 chaos is ensuing . No , we're actually 836 00:31:56,660 --> 00:31:59,532 closing in on grabbing hold of and 837 00:31:59,532 --> 00:32:01,692 controlling what , what objectives we 838 00:32:01,692 --> 00:32:03,636 want to achieve and how we want to 839 00:32:03,636 --> 00:32:05,581 achieve them . Shape , it's called 840 00:32:05,581 --> 00:32:07,525 shaping operations and setting the 841 00:32:07,525 --> 00:32:07,182 conditions , but when you shape the 842 00:32:07,182 --> 00:32:09,404 environment , you don't always tell , I 843 00:32:09,404 --> 00:32:11,571 mean , foolish political leaders . And 844 00:32:11,571 --> 00:32:13,626 foolish military leaders of the past 845 00:32:13,626 --> 00:32:15,793 will hang an exact deadline on it . Or 846 00:32:15,793 --> 00:32:18,015 here's exactly when we'll do what we're 847 00:32:18,015 --> 00:32:17,735 going to do , or here's how long it's 848 00:32:17,735 --> 00:32:19,791 gonna take us . And then if you meet 849 00:32:19,791 --> 00:32:21,957 that , uh , maybe you meet it , but if 850 00:32:21,957 --> 00:32:24,013 you don't , you fail , and if you're 851 00:32:24,013 --> 00:32:26,235 far beyond , we know exactly what we're 852 00:32:26,235 --> 00:32:28,235 shaping and why we're sending those 853 00:32:28,235 --> 00:32:28,026 signals working across the interagency . 854 00:32:28,066 --> 00:32:30,288 The Strait of Hormuz is something we've 855 00:32:30,288 --> 00:32:32,455 paid attention to from the beginning . 856 00:32:32,455 --> 00:32:34,566 Uh , and the American people can rest 857 00:32:34,566 --> 00:32:36,733 assured , uh , we will ensure that our 858 00:32:36,733 --> 00:32:36,390 interests are advanced , no doubt . 859 00:32:36,729 --> 00:32:38,729 Yeah , right there , green jacket . 860 00:32:38,790 --> 00:32:40,901 Mike , Mike Brest with the Washington 861 00:32:40,901 --> 00:32:43,123 Examiner . How many American casualties 862 00:32:43,123 --> 00:32:45,068 have there been and where were the 863 00:32:45,068 --> 00:32:47,290 American service members when they were 864 00:32:47,290 --> 00:32:50,380 injured ? Um , Uh , I mean , it's , uh , 865 00:32:50,489 --> 00:32:52,656 a bunch of returned to duty , so we've 866 00:32:52,656 --> 00:32:55,010 had a whole , the large , large 867 00:32:55,010 --> 00:32:57,189 majority have , uh , gone in for some 868 00:32:57,189 --> 00:32:59,356 medical treatment , returned to duty . 869 00:32:59,356 --> 00:33:02,030 We've had , uh , in Kuwait , uh , 870 00:33:02,229 --> 00:33:04,949 Jordan , uh , down across the southern 871 00:33:04,949 --> 00:33:06,838 flank a little bit , a variety of 872 00:33:06,838 --> 00:33:09,116 places , most from one-way attack , uh , 873 00:33:09,116 --> 00:33:11,282 strikes , but I want to clarify that . 874 00:33:11,282 --> 00:33:13,171 I think what we try to do here is 875 00:33:13,171 --> 00:33:15,060 clarify those numbers rather than 876 00:33:15,060 --> 00:33:17,810 saying , um . KIA or or WIA wounded , 877 00:33:18,079 --> 00:33:20,135 be more clear about that because the 878 00:33:20,135 --> 00:33:22,190 overwhelming majority , almost 90% , 879 00:33:22,190 --> 00:33:24,412 thank God , um , are returned to duty , 880 00:33:24,412 --> 00:33:26,523 minor minor injuries returned to duty 881 00:33:26,523 --> 00:33:28,523 and so that number can , can look a 882 00:33:28,523 --> 00:33:30,690 certain way and our job is to add some 883 00:33:30,690 --> 00:33:32,635 fidelity to it right here , yeah , 884 00:33:32,635 --> 00:33:34,912 thank you , Mr . Secretary . David Zia , 885 00:33:34,912 --> 00:33:36,968 Real America's Voice , can you share 886 00:33:36,968 --> 00:33:39,135 what types of munitions have been used 887 00:33:39,135 --> 00:33:41,357 on the attacks on commercial shipping ? 888 00:33:41,357 --> 00:33:43,301 Have any hit mines and are USVs on 889 00:33:43,301 --> 00:33:45,357 manned surface vehicles being used ? 890 00:33:45,357 --> 00:33:47,579 And just a quick follow up , were there 891 00:33:47,579 --> 00:33:49,579 any arrests , uh , in Fort Campbell 892 00:33:49,579 --> 00:33:52,099 with the drone thefts ? I'm not 893 00:33:52,099 --> 00:33:54,321 familiar with the Fort Campbell thing . 894 00:33:54,459 --> 00:33:56,739 Uh , the , the , the strikes that Iran 895 00:33:56,739 --> 00:33:59,339 has taken on shipping up north in the 896 00:33:59,339 --> 00:34:01,660 vicinity of Kuwait have been , I , I 897 00:34:01,660 --> 00:34:03,579 believe , from surface to surface 898 00:34:03,579 --> 00:34:06,339 missiles up there . Um , we've not seen 899 00:34:06,339 --> 00:34:09,479 any USV activity out of Iran . 900 00:34:10,040 --> 00:34:12,096 That we've we've seen in the Gulf at 901 00:34:12,096 --> 00:34:14,096 this point , nor have any ships hit 902 00:34:14,096 --> 00:34:16,096 mines or anything . There's like no 903 00:34:16,096 --> 00:34:18,429 still flowing through . There's been no , 904 00:34:18,429 --> 00:34:20,651 no strikes . One more time right here . 905 00:34:20,651 --> 00:34:22,762 Thank you so much , Heather Mullins , 906 00:34:22,762 --> 00:34:24,707 Lindde TV . My first question is , 907 00:34:24,707 --> 00:34:26,873 President Trump is set to meet with Xi 908 00:34:26,873 --> 00:34:29,096 Jinping in a couple of weeks . How much 909 00:34:29,096 --> 00:34:31,318 support , if any , has China been given 910 00:34:31,318 --> 00:34:31,139 the Iranian regime ? And then the 911 00:34:31,139 --> 00:34:33,250 second question , just , you know , I 912 00:34:33,250 --> 00:34:35,250 know President Trump calling for an 913 00:34:35,250 --> 00:34:37,250 unconditional surrender from Iran . 914 00:34:37,250 --> 00:34:39,028 Given that the US is working in 915 00:34:39,028 --> 00:34:41,139 partnership with Israel on this whole 916 00:34:41,139 --> 00:34:43,195 operation . Is Iran expected to meet 917 00:34:43,419 --> 00:34:45,530 demands of both countries or just the 918 00:34:45,530 --> 00:34:47,808 US , and what are those demands ? Well , 919 00:34:48,020 --> 00:34:49,798 we're proud to partner with the 920 00:34:49,798 --> 00:34:51,576 incredible cap capabilities the 921 00:34:51,576 --> 00:34:53,798 Iranians are . the Israelis have , uh , 922 00:34:53,798 --> 00:34:56,020 but our objectives are our objectives . 923 00:34:56,020 --> 00:34:58,131 And so when those are met , uh , as , 924 00:34:58,131 --> 00:35:00,187 as we meet those , we'll , we'll set 925 00:35:00,187 --> 00:35:02,353 the , uh , we'll set the tempo of , of 926 00:35:02,353 --> 00:35:04,576 when those are met . What was the first 927 00:35:04,576 --> 00:35:04,564 question ? Um , he's meeting with Xi 928 00:35:04,564 --> 00:35:06,675 Jin . Oh yeah , the president has a , 929 00:35:06,725 --> 00:35:08,915 has a , a , a historic relationship 930 00:35:08,915 --> 00:35:10,859 with President Xi . Um , they look 931 00:35:10,859 --> 00:35:12,965 forward to , to having a dynamic 932 00:35:12,965 --> 00:35:16,110 conversation . Uh , 22 powers , um , 933 00:35:16,270 --> 00:35:18,530 President Trump ultimately , uh , has 934 00:35:18,750 --> 00:35:20,949 established terms of that relationship 935 00:35:20,949 --> 00:35:22,949 which advanced the United States of 936 00:35:22,949 --> 00:35:24,727 America , and that meeting will 937 00:35:24,727 --> 00:35:26,782 continue to ensure we advance that . 938 00:35:26,782 --> 00:35:26,669 That's all I've got . Thank you very 939 00:35:26,669 --> 00:35:27,689 much . I appreciate it .