On Friday, the United States observed the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with solemn ceremonies held at major sites of the 2001 tragedy. A moment of silence was observed at the Ground Zero memorial in New York, marking the site where the Twin Towers were destroyed. Simultaneously, official commemorations took place at the Pentagon.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered remarks at the Pentagon ceremony, using the platform to address current geopolitical challenges. Hegseth focused his speech on the Iranian government, characterizing the regime as an "Islamic theocracy" that has maintained a long-standing hostility toward the United States. He explicitly connected the current conflict with Iran to the 9/11 attacks, alleging that the Iranian regime supported the 2001 terrorism and has been responsible for the deaths of American service members in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past several decades.

While the events in New York centered on the traditional remembrance of the victims and the history of the 2001 attacks, the Pentagon event served as a venue for the Defense Secretary to outline his administration's view on contemporary national security threats. The remarks highlight a shift in focus for the anniversary, moving from purely commemorative reflection to a discussion of ongoing military and foreign policy objectives in the Middle East.