During a briefing on Tuesday, March 31, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth identified the upcoming days as a critical turning point in the Middle East conflict, noting significant desertions within the Iranian military, and "if Iran is not willing, then the United States War Department will continue with even more intensity." Hegseth reported that military intelligence indicates US and Israeli strikes are severely impacting Iranian morale. Additionally, Hegseth mentioned his visit to the region on Saturday to personally observe the ongoing operations against Iran.