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Hegseth decries spread of 'falsehoods' regarding security of Kuwaiti base during Iran war

From Jerusalem Post · (4m ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Representative Patrick Ryan clashed over the security of U.S. bases in Kuwait during Operation Epic Fury against Iran.
  • Ryan accused the military of failing to protect soldiers from an Iranian drone attack that killed six, citing a lack of defenses.
  • Hegseth countered that thousands of troops were moved from potential targets and that bases were in a "maximum defensive posture."

A heated exchange occurred at a U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, as detailed by the Jerusalem Post, between Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Representative Patrick Ryan concerning the security of U.S. bases in Kuwait during Operation Epic Fury. The confrontation arose from Ryan's scrutiny of an Iranian drone attack that tragically claimed the lives of six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers in early March.

Can I speak, or are you just going to monologue falsehoods all over the place?

— Pete HegsethInterrupting Representative Ryan during the hearing.

Representative Ryan presented a stark picture, asserting that U.S. military personnel were aware of the base's vulnerability prior to the attack. He cited accounts from survivors indicating the base lacked crucial defenses, such as counter-drone capabilities, and was "unprepared to provide any defense for itself." Ryan pressed Hegseth to take responsibility, quoting a survivor who stated, "Telling the truth is important, and we're not going to learn from these mistakes if we pretend these mistakes didn't happen."

Secretary Hegseth vehemently disputed Ryan's claims, accusing the congressman of spreading "falsehoods." Hegseth asserted that U.S. bases were placed in a "maximum defensive posture" before Operation Epic Fury and that intelligence led to the relocation of 7,500 troops from at-risk bases. He described the deadly strike as a "tragic moment" and a "consequence of conflict," while Ryan concluded by demanding Hegseth's immediate resignation.

There's a much larger picture at play here that included integrated air defenses, bunkers…. We moved those troops, and all across the theater, thousands of troops off the X, off of their bases, because we knew what Iran was going to try to strike.

— Pete HegsethDefending the security measures taken before the Iranian attack.

This exchange highlights a critical debate within the U.S. military and Congress regarding accountability and preparedness in the face of escalating tensions with Iran. While Ryan emphasizes the need for transparency and learning from failures, Hegseth defends the military's actions and strategic decisions. The differing perspectives reflect a broader discussion about how to best ensure the safety of U.S. personnel abroad and manage the fallout from military operations in volatile regions.

Telling the truth is important, and we're not going to learn from these mistakes if we pretend these mistakes didn't happen.

— Survivor (quoted by Rep. Ryan)Highlighting the need for accountability and learning from the incident.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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