Hegseth Declares Iran Victory as Impeachment Vote Looms

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared victory in the Iran war and defended military strikes on drug boats Tuesday, while dismissing impeachment articles filed by Rep. Thomas Massie as political sabotage as the conflict enters its ninth month. Hegseth celebrated Operation Epic Fury, citing over 13,000 targets struck and extensive damage to Iran's military infrastructure, though U.S. forces conducted additional airstrikes as recently as Nov. 9 and Iran retains regional strike capabilities. He acknowledged 18 Americans killed in the initial campaign, with at least 23 total U.S. deaths and 860 wounded, while the Pentagon investigates a February strike on a girls' school that killed scores of children. Massie's eight impeachment articles target Hegseth as a civilian official, not service members, alleging violations of the War Powers Resolution. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries endorsed the effort, and a House vote could occur this week.