U.S. Preparing ‘Most Intense’ Strikes Yet Against Iran, Hegseth Says

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that U.S. and allied forces are preparing to launch the most intense wave of strikes yet against Iran as the military campaign continues to expand.

Speaking during a Pentagon press briefing, Hegseth said the latest phase of the operation will involve the largest concentration of aircraft, bombers, and precision strikes since the campaign began.

“Today will be yet again our most intense day of strikes inside Iran,” Hegseth said. “The most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes, intelligence more refined, and better than ever.”

At the same time, Hegseth noted that Iranian missile launches appear to be slowing.

“The last 24 hours have seen Iran fire the lowest number of missiles they’ve been capable of firing yet,” he said.

During the briefing, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine revealed that more than 5,000 Iranian targets have already been struck since the operation began.

Caine said U.S. Air Force bombers recently dropped dozens of 2,000 pound GPS guided penetrating weapons designed to destroy hardened missile launch facilities buried deep underground.

“On day 10 of Operation Epic Fury, we are winning with an overwhelming and unrelenting focus on our objectives,” Hegseth said.

“No hesitation, no half measures. As President Trump declared yesterday, we are crushing the enemy in an overwhelming display of technical skill and military force.”

Hegseth said the United States will continue the campaign until Iran’s military capabilities are fully neutralized.

“We will not relent until the enemy is totally and decisively defeated,” he said.

The defense secretary also defended the U.S. military’s efforts to avoid civilian casualties during the operation.

“No nation takes more precautions to ensure there is never targeting of civilians than the United States,” Hegseth said.

He added that the military investigates any incidents where questions arise about potential civilian harm.

“Where things happen that need to be investigated, we will investigate,” he said.

Those comments came after reports surfaced that an Iranian girls school may have been struck during the ongoing campaign. Pentagon officials confirmed that the incident is being reviewed.

During the briefing, military leaders outlined three primary objectives for the operation.

First, the United States is targeting Iran’s ballistic missile and drone infrastructure in order to prevent attacks on American forces and regional allies.

“That means attacking launch sites, command and control nodes, and stockpiles before they can threaten our personnel, our facilities, and our partners,” Caine said.

Second, the campaign is focused on weakening Iran’s naval forces while securing shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy routes.

Finally, U.S. forces are targeting Iran’s military and industrial infrastructure, including weapons manufacturing facilities, research sites, and logistical networks tied to the country’s military capabilities.