Hegseth Says U.S. Has "Devastated" Iranian Military Capabilities

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States has inflicted historic damage on Iran's military capabilities in an interview with CBS News' "60 Minutes."

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discusses the Iran war and the rescue of a US Air Force officer who survived two days behind enemy lines. [Photo: Department of War Flickr]

"The devastation done to Iranian military capabilities is historic in proportions," Hegseth said.

Asked by correspondent Norah O'Donnell what victory in Iran would look like to the American people, Hegseth said the United States has significant influence over how the conflict ultimately ends.

"We have all the control in the world about what this outcome looks like, and the president has put us in a fantastic position," Hegseth said.

O'Donnell interviewed Hegseth and other senior US military officials for a "60 Minutes" report about a US Air Force officer whose aircraft was shot down over Iran in April.

The two-person crew ejected after the aircraft was shot down.

The pilot was rescued within hours, while the weapon systems officer remained alone and injured in the Iranian mountains for two days, evading Iranian forces before being rescued by US forces.

The officer spoke publicly for the first time about the ordeal in an interview with O'Donnell.

The report is scheduled to air during the 59th-season premiere of "60 Minutes" on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and Paramount+.

Hegseth's comments come after he previously described the US military campaign against Iran as a historic military victory and said Iranian forces had been rendered ineffective.