US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Saturday that a major US-Israeli attack on Iran, which Washington says killed the country’s supreme leader, showed that those who harm Americans must be held accountable and must pay the price for their actions. He invoked actor Liam Neeson’s movie “Taken” as a warning in the midst of a crisis.
“If you kill or threaten Americans anywhere in the world — as Iran has done — then we will hunt you down and kill you,” Hegseth said on X.
In the 2008 thriller Taken, Liam Neeson issued an iconic warning as Bryan Mills, a former CIA agent whose daughter is kidnapped in Paris. The phone call scene features the famous monologue: “…what I have are very specific skills… if you don’t (let her go) I’m going to look for you, find you and kill you”.
Iran crisis: What did Hegseth say?
Hegseth described “Operation Epic Fury” as the deadliest, most complex and precise air mission in history.
Hegseth stated, “At the behest of President Trump, the War Department launched OPERATION EPIC FURY overnight – the deadliest, most complex, and most precise air operation in history. The Iranian regime had a chance, but refused to make a deal – and is now suffering the consequences. For nearly fifty years, Iran has targeted and killed the world’s most radical Americans.”
Hegseth said Trump was taking unprecedented steps to counter what he described as a long-standing threat, calling it a “cancer.” He said the United States would not allow powerful missiles to be aimed at the American people and promised that such weapons, along with Iran’s missile-making capabilities, would be eliminated. He added that Iran’s navy would also be destroyed and reiterated Trump’s long-standing position that Iran would never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
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Hegseth went on to say that while the United States did not start the conflict, it would bring it to an end. He asserted that American forces were the best in the world and were fully empowered to achieve their goals, and concluded by praying for their protection in what he described as a critical mission.
Khamenei’s death and mourning in Iran
Iran has begun a 40-day period of public mourning following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Reuters reported, citing state media. In Shia Islam, the 40th day after a person’s death, known as Arba’een, has deep religious significance.
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Khamenei’s death followed Saturday’s attacks by the United States and Israel, reportedly under the names of Operation Epic Fury and Lion’s Roar. By declaring the entire 40 days of mourning, the authorities seem to be drawing on a strong religious and cultural tradition while giving the spiritual leadership time to oversee the sensitive political transition from public opinion.
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The supreme leader’s office has declared national mourning, with flags at half-mast and public ceremonies planned to honor him, signaling the end of a 37-year era in the Islamic republic.
Khamenei succeeded the founder of the revolution, Ruhollah Khomeini, in 1989. During the decade, his leadership was characterized by a consistent stance of resistance to Western influence.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened across the country, particularly in major cities such as Tehran, as authorities try to prevent unrest and maintain order.
(With agency input)
