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Saturday, 13 June 2026
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Saturday, 13 June 2026
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Kenyan press · Person

Pete Hegseth

Also known as: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth · Pentagon chief Hegseth · Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth · US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth · Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth · U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth · US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth

US Defense Secretary ordering military deployments and addressing strategic alignment with China in Asia.

2026-04-252026-06-13

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. June 2026
  2. Citizen Digital

    The renewed hostilities came as Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said that if Trump required it, "we'll negotiate with bombs, and we're very good at it".

    US, Iran hit each other again as hopes for quick peace deal fade
  3. Capital News

    US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran had been given a chance to make a deal but had not taken it, adding that bombs would be “dropping on key facilities” in the country.

    US and Iran exchange strikes across Middle East for second day in a row
  4. The Standard

    Iranian media reported explosions across the south, with at least three people wounded in Tehran province.The renewed hostilities came as Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said that if Trump required it, "we'll negotiate with bombs".

    Trump vows fresh Iran strikes and seizure of oil terminals
  5. Capital News

    His remarks came after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth referred to the recent China-US top leaders’ meeting in Beijing and their consensus, during a plenary speech earlier on Saturday.

    China–US call for stable military ties at Shangri-La Dialogue amid global security risks
  6. May 2026
  7. Citizen Digital

    "Slowly but surely we're getting, I think, what we want and if we don't get what we want, we're going to end in a different way." - Flare ups - That echoed comments from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth who said at a defense summit in Asia on Saturday that Washington was "more than ca

    Trump says Iran has agreed to no nuclear weapons
  8. Citizen Digital

    "Slowly but surely we're getting, I think, what we want and if we don't get what we want, we're going to end in a different way." - Flare ups - That echoed comments from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth who said at a defense summit in Asia on Saturday that Washington was "more than ca

    Trump says Iran has agreed to no nuclear weapons
  9. Citizen Digital

    ion after a White House Situation Room meeting on Friday. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-m', container: 'taboola-mid-article-thumbnails', placement: 'Mid Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' }); Meanwhile, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth

    US warns capable of resuming war with Iran as deal remains elusive
  10. Citizen Digital

    (Photo by Evan Vucci / POOL / AFP) Audio By Vocalize Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth struck a measured tone towards China at a major defence forum on Saturday, noting "rightful alarm" over Beijing's military build-up but saying Washington sought a "stable equilibrium" in Asia.

    Pentagon chief says US seeks 'stable equilibrium' with China in Asia
  11. The Standard

    "Slowly but surely we're getting, I think, what we want and if we don't get what we want, we're going to end in a different way." That echoed comments from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth who said at a defense summit in Asia on Saturday that Washington was "more than capable" of rest

    Trump says Iran has agreed to no nuclear weapons
  12. The Standard

    The experience informed her opposition to America's long foreign wars, as it did for Vice President JD Vance and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.

    US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard resigns

Thursday 11 June

  1. US and Iran exchange strikes as peace talks stall

    The United States launched fresh attacks against Iran on Thursday, prompting Tehran to retaliate, marking the second straight day of tit-for-tat strikes amid a three-month war. US President Donald Trump accused Iran of dragging out negotiations and said it will "have to pay the price," while the strikes sent oil prices rising.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. US and Iran exchange strikes for second consecutive day

    The US and Iran exchanged military strikes across the Middle East for a second consecutive day, straining a ceasefire agreed in April. The US conducted "self-defense strikes" targeting military and surveillance sites in southern Iran, while Iran responded by launching strikes at US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, and claimed to have hit two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

    11 June 2026 · Capital News

  3. Trump threatens fresh Iran strikes and oil infrastructure seizure

    US President Donald Trump vowed fresh attacks against Iran and said American forces would seize the country's key oil infrastructure after the two sides exchanged strikes overnight. Iran warned the three-month ceasefire is "practically meaningless" following latest US strikes, with the conflict beginning February 28 and a truce paused in April.

    11 June 2026 · The Standard

Monday 1 June

  1. China, US call for stable military ties at forum

    Chinese and American officials, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, called for a stable and sustainable military-to-military relationship between the two countries, citing the need to address global security risks from hegemonism, governance disorder, and emerging technologies.

    1 June 2026 · Capital News

Sunday 31 May

  1. Trump claims Iran agreed to no nuclear weapons

    US President Donald Trump said he has secured guarantees from Iran that it would not develop nuclear weapons, as reports emerged he sent a tougher peace proposal back to Tehran to formally end the Middle East war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

    31 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Trump claims Iran agrees not to develop nuclear weapons

    US President Trump said he secured guarantees from Iran that it would not develop nuclear weapons, as reports emerged he had sent a revised peace proposal with "tougher" terms to Tehran. His priorities include stopping Iranian nuclear development and reopening the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.

    31 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. US warns it capable of resuming war with Iran

    The United States warned it was "more than capable" of resuming war with Iran after President Donald Trump said any peace deal must include Tehran never developing nuclear weapons. The White House had signaled Trump was close to a decision on a potential deal, but no decision was made after a Friday meeting, and Tehran denied there was a final agreement.

    31 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

  4. Pentagon chief seeks stable equilibrium with China in Asia

    US Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said at Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue that Washington seeks a "stable equilibrium" with China in Asia, while acknowledging "rightful alarm" over Beijing's military build-up and regional expansion.

    31 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

  5. Trump claims Iran has agreed to halt nuclear weapons development

    US President Donald Trump said he secured guarantees from Iran that it would not develop nuclear weapons, while reports indicate he has sent a revised, tougher peace proposal to Tehran. Iran has previously cast doubt on Trump's assertions, and the parties appear far apart on key priorities including Iran's demand for $12 billion in frozen assets before substantive talks on its nuclear program.

    31 May 2026 · The Standard

Friday 22 May

  1. US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard resigns to care for husband

    Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation as Director of National Intelligence, effective June 30, citing her husband Abraham's recent diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer. Trump praised her work and said deputy Aaron Lukas would serve as acting Director.

    22 May 2026 · The Standard

Monday 18 May

  1. White House mass prayer event draws thousands to National Mall

    Thousands gathered on the National Mall for a mass prayer festival organized by the White House, featuring Christian music and speeches by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Speaker Mike Johnson, and video addresses by President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Critics view the event as an overt display of Christian nationalism that undermines the separation of church and state.

    18 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Saturday 16 May

  1. US cancels planned 4,000-troop deployment to Poland

    The United States has canceled the planned deployment of 4,000 soldiers to Poland as Washington reorganizes its forces in Europe following a decision to withdraw thousands of troops from Germany. The cancellation, ordered by the Secretary of Defense, affected the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, with some elements already deployed and equipment in transit.

    16 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 13 May

  1. Air Force One refueled in Alaska en route to Trump's Beijing trip

    US President Donald Trump's Air Force One stopped in Anchorage to refuel during his departure for Beijing. The stop reflects operational limits of the Boeing VC-25A aircraft, which faces range constraints on the roughly 6,500 to 7,000 nautical mile journey from Washington D.C. to Beijing when accounting for communications equipment, security systems, personnel, cargo, and emergency fuel reserves.

    13 May 2026 · Capital News

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Pentagon estimates US Iran war cost at nearly $29 billion

    The Pentagon said the cost of the war with Iran had climbed to nearly $29 billion, up about $4 billion from an estimate made two weeks earlier, as President Trump faces scrutiny over the conflict's impact on military readiness.

    12 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Trump threatens renewed Iran strikes to pressure peace talks

    US President Donald Trump threatened Iran on Wednesday with resumed bombing at increased intensity if it does not agree to a peace deal, after halting his "Project Freedom" campaign in the Strait of Hormuz with hopes for a breakthrough in negotiations.

    6 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. US pauses Strait of Hormuz escorts to pursue Iran peace deal

    President Trump announced the US will pause its operation escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a peace agreement with Iran. Secretary of State Rubio said the US has completed offensive operations against Iran while reserving the right to respond to further attacks on shipping.

    6 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Saturday 2 May

  1. US orders withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany

    US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany within the next six to twelve months, according to the Pentagon, amid tensions between the US and Europe over the Mideast war and trade disputes.

    2 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Trump compares US Navy blockade of Iran to piracy

    President Trump said at a Florida rally that the US Navy was acting "like pirates" while seizing ships and cargo during its blockade of Iranian ports. The blockade, announced after failed peace talks, has prompted Iran to threaten to maintain its closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

    2 May 2026 · The Standard

  3. US approves arms sales to Qatar and Israel amid Middle East conflict

    The United States approved a $4 billion sale of Patriot missiles to Qatar and a nearly $1 billion sale of precision weapons systems to Israel, citing support for US foreign policy and national security objectives. The Pentagon also announced the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany within the next year.

    2 May 2026 · The Standard

Friday 1 May

  1. Iran submits new peace proposal to US via Pakistan mediator

    Iran delivered a new proposal for peace talks with the United States through mediator Pakistan on Thursday, state media reported Friday, even as negotiations remain frozen despite a weeks-long ceasefire that began in April after a war launched by the United States and Israel on February 28.

    1 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 30 April

  1. US defence chief faces Iran war questions in six-hour hearing

    US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth sparred with Democratic lawmakers during a nearly six-hour hearing over the Iran war, with the defence department's chief financial officer revealing the conflict has cost the US $25 billion so far. The White House is seeking a $1.5 trillion defence budget boost, which would mark the largest military spending increase since World War Two.

    30 April 2026 · Capital News

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Trump demands Iran dismantle nuclear program under blockade

    President Trump warned Iran to "get smart soon" and accept U.S. demands for strict nuclear controls, as a U.S. naval blockade pressures Iran's economy. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump has decided to reject Iran's latest deal proposal and intends to continue the blockade until Tehran dismantles its nuclear programme.

    29 April 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 28 April

  1. White House reviews Trump security after Correspondents' Dinner shooting

    The White House will hold a meeting to review President Trump's security following a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, where an armed suspect got near a ballroom with over 2,000 people including Trump and cabinet members; a federal agent was wounded in a brief exchange of gunfire, but is expected to fully recover.

    28 April 2026 · Capital News

Sunday 26 April

  1. Trump administration removes top military leaders amid reform push

    The Pentagon dismissed U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan without explanation, continuing a broader purge of senior military officials since January 2025. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pushed for reforms including a 20 percent reduction in active-duty four-star generals and admirals, resulting in the removal of figures including Joint Chiefs Chairman Charles Brown, Navy Chief Lisa Franchetti, and Army Chief of Staff Randy George.

    26 April 2026 · Capital News

Saturday 25 April

  1. US Defense Secretary says Iran blockade expanding globally

    Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said on Friday that a U.S. blockade on Iran is "going global," with no ships able to sail from the Strait of Hormuz without U.S. Navy permission. He added that Iran has an opportunity to negotiate and abandon its nuclear programme, while 34 ships had been turned around as of Friday morning.

    25 April 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. US negotiators head to Islamabad; Iran declines direct talks

    US negotiators including Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to travel to Pakistan on Saturday to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, but Iran's foreign ministry said its officials do not plan to meet with US representatives, with Tehran's concerns instead to be conveyed through mediator Pakistan. The talks aim to address a conflict now in its ninth week that has seen Iran close the Strait of Hormuz and the US block Iranian oil exports, driving energy prices to multi-year highs.

    25 April 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Iran's foreign minister to Islamabad for indirect US peace talks

    Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi was expected to visit Islamabad to discuss proposals for restarting peace talks with the United States, with Pakistan acting as mediator to convey Iran's proposals to Washington. The visit comes after earlier talks between the two countries collapsed, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining blockaded and a ceasefire extended as negotiations continue.

    25 April 2026 · Citizen Digital

Pete Hegseth — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute