Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has faced criticism after he dismissed concerns about adhering to the rules of engagement in the U.S. and Israeli military conflict against Iran, promising to continue the most lethal and precise airpower campaign in history. This statement has been met with criticism from legal experts, veterans, and political opponents. The conflict has escalated after Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in joint U.K. Israeli strikes on Tehran, with 40 senior Iranian leaders also killed. In response, Iran and its allies have launched missiles at Israel, Arab states and U.,S. military targets. Despite this, Hegsetsh has declined to set a timeline on the assault, despite President Donald Trump's assertion that it could last four to five weeks.