Iran has criticised US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after his remarks during a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks were linked to the ongoing US military campaign against Iran.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused Washington of using the anniversary of the attacks to justify its military actions against Tehran. Baghaei also rejected any attempt to associate Iran with the perpetrators of the September 11 attacks, saying that those responsible for the attacks were not Iranian.
The remarks came after Hegseth addressed a memorial ceremony at the Pentagon on September 11, 2026. During his speech, Hegseth referred to the continuing fight against terrorism and connected the legacy of the September 11 attacks with the current US campaign against Iran. He defended the military operation and said the United States would continue its efforts against what Washington considers security threats.
The 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks was observed across the United States with memorial services and ceremonies honouring the nearly 3,000 people who died in the 2001 attacks. Events were held at the World Trade Center site in New York, the Pentagon in Virginia and the Flight 93 memorial site in Pennsylvania.
The Pentagon ceremony became a significant part of the wider political debate because President Donald Trump and Hegseth referred to the current conflict with Iran while commemorating the victims of the 2001 attacks. Recent reports said the US administration presented its campaign against Iran as part of a broader effort to counter terrorism and prevent security threats.
Baghaei strongly rejected that framing. He argued that the September 11 attackers were not Iranian and criticised Washington for connecting the historic attacks with its current military actions against Tehran.
The Iranian government has repeatedly opposed the US military campaign and has rejected Washington's characterisation of Iran as a central part of the post September 11 terrorism threat. Tehran has also accused the United States of using military force and political pressure against Iran while presenting its actions as part of a broader security campaign.
The issue has become particularly sensitive because the September 11 attacks were carried out by members of al Qaeda, an organisation led by Osama bin Laden. The attacks resulted in the deaths of thousands of people and led to major changes in US foreign and national security policy. The United States subsequently launched military operations in Afghanistan and later invaded Iraq as part of the broader post September 11 period of military intervention.
Iran was not the country invaded by the United States after the September 11 attacks. However, relations between Washington and Tehran have remained deeply strained for decades because of disputes involving Iran's nuclear programme, regional military activities, sanctions and the presence of US forces in the Middle East.
The current disagreement comes amid an ongoing US and Israeli military campaign against Iran that began in 2026. The conflict has expanded beyond Iran's borders and has affected regional security, shipping routes and energy markets. Reuters reported that the conflict has increasingly been compared with the prolonged wars that followed the September 11 attacks, while the US administration has continued to defend its military objectives.
Hegseth has maintained that US military action against Iran is necessary to address what Washington considers significant security threats. In his September 11 remarks, he highlighted US military operations and argued that the fight against terrorism remains unfinished.
Iran, however, has rejected that argument. Baghaei said that the September 11 anniversary should not be used to establish a connection between Iran and the 2001 attacks. His comments reflect Tehran's broader position that the current conflict should not be presented as a continuation of the response to the September 11 attacks.
The dispute also highlights the different narratives being presented by the two governments. Washington has sought to frame its campaign against Iran in terms of national security and counterterrorism, while Tehran has described the military operation as an unlawful use of force and accused the United States of using historical events to support its current policy.
The exchange between the two sides comes at a time when diplomatic tensions remain high. Regional governments are also seeking ways to reduce the risk of a wider conflict, particularly because the confrontation has affected the security of major waterways and energy infrastructure in the Middle East.
The 9/11 anniversary itself remained primarily focused on remembering the victims and recognising the long term impact of the attacks. Memorial ceremonies were held across the United States, with families of victims and public officials gathering to honour those who died.
The comments by Hegseth and the subsequent response from Baghaei have nevertheless added a political dimension to this year's anniversary. The disagreement illustrates how the legacy of the September 11 attacks continues to influence debates over US military policy and terrorism more than two decades after the attacks.
As the conflict between the United States and Iran continues, both sides are expected to maintain their respective positions. Washington is likely to continue defending its military objectives, while Tehran is expected to challenge US claims and reject any attempt to connect Iran directly with the September 11 attacks.