Trump, Hegseth link 9/11 memorial to Iran war in political defense

At the Pentagon's 9/11 anniversary ceremony, Trump and Hegseth framed the US-Israel war on Iran as part of the legacy of the 2001 attacks, a rhetorical shift from the traditional victim-focused commemoration. The remarks signal an attempt to bolster domestic support for an unpopular conflict by tying it to a formative national trauma. The move is notable for its politicization of a memorial event, though its direct impact on the war's trajectory remains unclear.