Pete Hegseth Says Families of Fallen Soldiers Urged Him to Continue Iran War—Father of a Killed Airman Denies Claim

A grieving father has pushed back claims by US officials that families of fallen troops support continuing the war with Iran, saying he never urged Defense Secretary Hegseth to 'finish' the job.

The father of a US service member killed in the conflict told NBC News that his conversation with Pete Hegseth did not include any encouragement to escalate or continue military operations in the ongoing war with Iran, contradicting public remarks made by the Pentagon chief, echoed by US President Donald Trump.

Father Disputes 'Finish the Job' Claim'

During a press briefing following a private meet with the families of six fallen service members at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Wednesday, Hegseth said he received a consistent message.

Hegseth stated, 'What I heard through tears, through hugs, through strength and through unbreakable resolve was the same from family after family. They said, 'Finish this. Honor their sacrifice. Do not waver. Do not stop until the job is done.'

However, 60-year-old Charles Simmons, father of 28-year-old Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, who died in the Iran war, had a different recollection of the conversation. 'I can't speak for the other families. When he spoke to me, that was not something we talked about,' Simmons said Thursday. He said their discussion focused on his son's life and service, not on endorsing the war or offering policy guidance.

Simmons recalls telling the defense secretary, 'I understand there's a lot of peril that goes into making decisions like this, and I just certainly hope the decisions being made are necessary.' He also said, 'No, I didn't say anything along those lines,' referring to telling Hegseth or Trump about the need to continue fighting the war.

The music teacher from Columbus, Ohio said 'Who wants war? Sometimes it's a necessity, and I just don't know what's going on.'

Pentagon: 'They Represent the Very Best of America'

In connection with Hegseth's statement, Sean Parnell, a spokesperson for the Pentagon said Hegseth respects Gold Star families and is committed to honouring their loved one's sacrifice. He met each family at Dover, but the conversations remain private.

'Secretary Hegseth has the utmost respect for our Gold Star families and has pledged to honor the sacrifice of their loved ones. While at Dover, the Secretary spoke with each family of our fallen heroes and the details of each individual conversation remain private,' Parnell clarified.

Meanwhile, Olivia Wales, a spokesperson for the White House, said US President Donald Trump spent time with the families of six fallen service members on Wednesday, sharing their grief. She said Trump 'shared his love and expressed the deep gratitude of our entire nation,' emhpasising that 'these men and women gave up their lives in defense of our freedom, and President Trump will never forget their honorable service and selfless devotion.'

Wales said the fallen service members 'represent the very best of America.'

Grief of a Father

Charles Simmons recalls his last conversation with his son, sharing that Tyler told him 'how much he loved me.' He said Tyler had dreams of becoming a commercial airline pilot once he retires from the military. 'Tyler had a magnetic personality,' he shared. He also said his son 'never met any strangers. He'd walk into the room, and it would be immediately illuminated.'