Pete Hegseth

"Don't say: 'I support the troops' on one hand, and then a two-month mission is a quagmire," Hegseth told the congressman during his address.

The strike took place on February 28, at the beginning of Operation Epic Fury. A missile hit a primary school, killing 168 people, including around 110 children, according to Iranian officials.

The Atlantic reported that Vice President Vance has discussed the issue with Trump, noting that a weapons shortage would be extremely detrimental to American interests.

“President Trump has a complicated relationship with the Bible,” The New York Times said of Trump's likely participation in a marathon reading of scripture to take place in Washington, D.C.

The letter stated that the signatories feel their “proximity to this technology creates a responsibility to highlight and prevent its most unethical and dangerous uses.”

In response to Iran placing mines around the Strait, which experts believe are fewer than 100, US President Donald Trump ordered the Navy to "shoot and kill any boat" suspected of doing so.

Hegseth added that Tehran had a chance to make a "good deal" with Washington.

The Pentagon announced his departure in a brief statement, saying he was leaving the administration "effective immediately." But it did not provide a reason or say whether it was his decision to go.

The South Carolina Republican described the discussion's focus as "the way forward regarding the Iran conflict," while also warning countries against assisting Iran's oil distribution efforts.

Hegseth's comments follow a similar incident in 2019, when then-Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg compared Mike Pence to the Pharisees.