Iranian missiles don't pose a threat to the US, Pete Hegseth admits Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 03/31/2026 - 16:59 Despite Iran steering the terms with its economic leverage, the Pentagon chief insists otherwise US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine hold a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on 31 March 2026 (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) Off In his first briefing since 19 March, and more than one month into the US-Israeli war on Iran, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth openly conceded that Iranian ballistic missiles do not pose a threat to the US mainland, undercutting talk of the "imminent threat" repeated by the White House.  Because of that, he explained, the US has put itself on the line to protect its regional assets and allies against Tehran's capabilities, and that is why the president now expects European allies to step up in return.  "These are missiles that don't even range the United States of America. They range allies and others. And yet, when asked for additional assistance... we get questions or roadblocks or hesitations," Hegseth told reporters on Tuesday.  "And the president's pointing out [that] you don't have much of an alliance if you have countries not willing to stand with you when you need them," he added. Hegseth is referring to comments made earlier in the day by President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account, in which he demanded the UK "build up some courage, go to the Strait [of Hormuz], and just TAKE IT".  "You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself," Trump wrote.  In justifying the president's position, Hegseth insisted that since the US and Israel launched their attack on Iran on 28 February, Washington has "set the terms", leaving Iran with "nothing they can militarily do about it".  Why ask Europe for help? The question becomes, then, why is Trump asking for assistance from members of Nato if the US has the upper hand? Petrol pric