Trending Now - Experts Warn US 'no Quarter' Stance on Iran Breaches Law
WHO:
Mark Kelly, U.S. Senator from Arizona, criticized Pete Hegseth's remarks on "no quarter."
Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new supreme leader, mentioned by Hegseth as wounded and likely disfigured.
Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense
Donald Trump, President of the United States
Brian Finucane, senior adviser at the International Crisis Group
Sarah Yager, Washington director at Human Rights Watch
Jeff Merkley, U.S. Senator
WHAT:
Kelly stated, “An order to give no quarter would mean to take no prisoners and kill them instead,” emphasizing it would violate the law of armed conflict.
Hegseth claimed, “We know the new so-called not-so-supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” regarding Khamenei's condition.
Hegseth stated, “No quarter, no mercy for our enemies” during a press briefing on March 13, 2026.
The U.S. military campaign against Iran has resulted in at least 1,444 Iranian deaths and millions displaced.
A U.S. strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran killed more than 170 people, most of them children.
The U.S. dropped nearly $5.6 billion worth of munitions in the first two days of the war against Iran.
The U.S. and Israel hit more targets in the first 100 hours of the Iran war than in the first six months of the U.S. campaign against ISIL (ISIS).
Hegseth described the sinking of the IRIS Dena as a “quiet death.”
WHERE:
Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
Southern Iran
Off the coast of Sri Lanka
WHEN:
Hegseth made his remarks about Khamenei on March 13, 2026.
Hegseth's remarks were made on March 13, 2026.
The U.S. strike on the girls’ school occurred on March 2, 2026.
The U.S. military campaign against Iran began on February 28, 2026.
The sinking of the IRIS Dena occurred on an unspecified date in March 2026.
WHY:
Kelly's comments reflect concerns that Hegseth's rhetoric could put American service members at greater risk.
Hegseth's comments reflect a dismissal of international law and a focus on “maximum lethality” in military operations.
Concerns raised by rights groups and analysts about the legality and morality of military actions against Iran.
HOW:
Hegseth's comments were made during a press briefing at the Pentagon on March 13, 2026.
Hegseth has publicly stated he would abide by no “stupid rules of engagement” and no “politically correct wars.”
The U.S. military's approach emphasizes bold and precise rules of engagement designed to unleash American power.
(UPDATED March 15, 2026 05:30 UTC)
In a press briefing at the Pentagon last Monday, Pete Hegseth made controversial remarks about Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, claiming he is wounded and likely disfigured. U.S. Senator Mark Kelly responded by criticizing Hegseth's suggestion of "no quarter," stating that such an order would violate the law of armed conflict and could endanger American service members. Kelly emphasized that taking no prisoners would only escalate risks for those in the field.
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(UPDATED March 14, 2026 23:02 UTC)
During a press briefing on March 13, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth declared, “No quarter, no mercy for our enemies,” as the U.S. military campaign against Iran continues to escalate, resulting in at least 1,444 Iranian deaths and millions displaced. The conflict has seen a tragic strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran that killed more than 170 people, primarily children, while the U.S. has already dropped nearly $5.6 billion worth of munitions in just the first two days of the war. Hegseth's remarks highlight a commitment to a military strategy focused on maximum lethality, dismissing concerns from rights groups about the legality and morality of these actions.