As the Iran war enters its fourth week, questions continue to mount over the origins of the conflict, with US President Donald Trump offering a fresh and somewhat shifting account of how the decision to go to war was made.Speaking at a roundtable in Tennessee on Monday, Trump suggested that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was the first to push for military action against Iran.Recounting the moment, Trump said Hegseth had urged a strike to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.The remarks add to a growing list of contradictory explanations from within the administration. Officials have offered varying justifications for the war—ranging from claims that Israel’s actions made US involvement unavoidable to assertions that Iran was on the verge of deploying a nuclear weapon.Trump described a series of consultations with senior officials and military leaders, portraying the decision as a choice between inaction and eliminating a major threat in the Middle East.However, the administration’s narrative has been inconsistent. Just hours before crediting Hegseth, Trump claimed Iran’s retaliatory strikes across the Gulf were unexpected, stating that “nobody was even thinking about it.” That claim appears at odds with reports that US officials had received prior warnings about possible Iranian retaliation.Throughout the conflict, Hegseth has emerged as the public face of the war effort, outlining objectives that include dismantling Iran’s missile systems, drone capabilities and naval strength. He has also defended the campaign against critical media coverage, even as the conflict has expanded into a wider regional crisis and resulted in the deaths of 13 US service members.When asked about the timeline for the operation, Hegseth declined to provide specifics, saying only that the mission remains “on track.”Trump says that Vice President JD Vance had been less enthusiastic about the war, though he has not expressed dissent publicly. Reports also point to divisions within the administration, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and media mogul Rupert Murdoch among those seen as supportive of military action, while others urged caution.The internal strain has already led to fallout. Joe Kent, former head of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned last week, becoming the first senior official to step down over the conflict.Even as fighting continues, Trump has floated the possibility of negotiations with Iran, suggesting a deal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He referenced potential talks involving Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff, though Iran has denied that any such discussions are taking place.Trump had initially set a deadline for Iran to meet US demands or face further strikes, but that timeline has now been extended by five days.BREAKING: TRUMP BLAMES PETE HEGSETH FOR THE IRAN WAR:”Pete, I think you were the first one to speak up. You said, ‘Let’s do it.'”…. Show more pic.twitter.com/1Hga29Ltqc— 🇺🇲 USA ARMY NEWS (@USAArmyNews) March 23, 2026Trump blames Hegseth for the war: “Pete, I think you were the first one to speak up. You said, ‘Let’s do it.'” pic.twitter.com/QBGeFuhM1M— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 23, 2026