{
  "id": 15828908,
  "title": "Hegseth says US 'prepared' to take military action against Iran if directed by Trump",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/hegseth-says-us-prepared-to-take-military-action-against-iran-if",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T00:46:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Middle East Eye",
    "slug": "middle-east-eye",
    "url": "https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/hegseth-says-us-prepared-take-military-action-against-iran-if-directed"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Washington is prepared to engage in further military action against Iran if directed by Donald Trump. Speaking to reporters, Hegseth expressed a goal to ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon and noted that while the U.S. has caused historic devastation to Iran's military capabilities, the military is ready to go further if the president requests it.\n\nSeparate reports indicate that SpaceX founder Elon Musk ordered restrictions on the use of Starshield, the military version of the Starlink satellite communications system, in Ukraine. According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, these restrictions disrupted Ukrainian military missions and caused panic in Kyiv and confusion within the Trump administration. While some officials claim Musk acted unilaterally without a specific order from Trump, a source familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal that Musk had spoken with several senior administration officials, including Trump, before imposing the restrictions.\n\nThe Wall Street Journal reported that Musk and Trump discussed the decision by phone shortly after the restrictions became public, and one source noted they had discussed the issue before the decision was made. Although Trump stated two days after the October 14 report of restrictions that he had not ordered them and did not know who was responsible, The Telegraph cited four sources reporting that Musk had approached Trump regarding the matter.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "Musk ordered Starlink slowdown in Ukraine: WSJ",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/musk-ordered-starlink-slowdown-in-ukraine-wsj",
        "published": "2026-10-20T20:42:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV",
        "title": "Elon Musk Ordered Starlink Slowdown In Ukraine: Report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/elon-musk-ordered-starlink-slowdown-in-ukraine-report",
        "published": "2026-10-20T21:25:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Elon Musk ordered the Starlink restrictions that disabled Ukrainian drones, defenses - report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/elon-musk-ordered-the-starlink-restrictions-that-disabled-ukrainian",
        "published": "2026-10-20T22:18:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Musk ordered slowdown of Starlink service Ukraine military relies on, report says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/musk-ordered-slowdown-of-starlink-service-ukraine-military-relies-on",
        "published": "2026-10-20T22:49:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Meduza (English)",
        "title": "Did Trump know Musk was about to restrict Ukraine’s military Starlink service? WSJ reports they discussed the decision afterward. Some sources say they also spoke beforehand.",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/did-trump-know-musk-was-about-to-restrict-ukraines-military-starlink",
        "published": "2026-10-20T22:59:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Musk gave the order to slow down Ukraine’s Starlink, WSJ reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/musk-gave-the-order-to-slow-down-ukraines-starlink-wsj-reports",
        "published": "2026-10-20T23:51:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Trump says U.S. has gotten \"nothing\" from Ukraine",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/trump-says-u-s-has-gotten-nothing-from-ukraine",
        "published": "2026-10-21T00:19:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Musk ordered slowdown of Starlink service used by Ukraine's military, WSJ reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/musk-ordered-slowdown-of-starlink-service-used-by-ukraines-military",
        "published": "2026-10-21T00:37:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Musk ordered slowdown of Starlink service used by Ukraine’s military, WSJ reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/musk-ordered-slowdown-of-starlink-service-used-by-ukraines-military-15828702",
        "published": "2026-10-21T01:12:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "Musk ordered slowdown of Starlink service used by Ukraine’s military, WSJ reports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/musk-ordered-slowdown-of-starlink-service-used-by-ukraines-military-15838635",
        "published": "2026-10-21T03:04:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}