Pentagon officials announced that joint American and Israeli military operations have severely crippled Iran’s armed forces in what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called an unprecedented campaign of destruction.
During a briefing at the Pentagon with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, Hegseth outlined the extensive damage inflicted on Iranian military infrastructure during the opening weeks of current hostilities.
“The United States is decimating the radical Iranian regime’s military in a way the world has never seen before,” Hegseth stated. “Never before has a modern, capable military … been so quickly destroyed and made combat ineffective.”
According to Hegseth, American and Israeli air forces working together have hit more than 15,000 military targets throughout Iran.
“The combination of the world’s two most powerful air forces is unprecedented and unbeatable,” Hegseth explained. “Between our Air Force and that of the Israelis, over 15,000 enemy targets have been struck.”
The Defense Secretary reported that Iran’s defensive systems, naval operations, and rocket capabilities have suffered extensive damage.
“Iran has no air defenses. Iran has no air force. Iran has no Navy,” he declared, noting that Iranian missile and drone operations have declined dramatically due to the ongoing strikes.
“Iran’s missile volume is down 90%,” he reported. “Their one way attack drones yesterday down 95%.”
Hegseth explained that attacks have also focused on Iran’s weapons manufacturing infrastructure to block the regime from rebuilding its military strength.
“As of two days ago, Iran’s entire ballistic missile production capacity … has been functionally defeated,” Hegseth said, noting that manufacturing plants, research centers, and assembly facilities nationwide have been eliminated.
The Secretary indicated that operations are expanding in scope.
“Today will be yet again the highest volume of strikes that America has put over the skies of Iran and Tehran,” Hegseth announced.
Hegseth also suggested Iran’s political leadership faces internal challenges following the death of the nation’s former supreme leader.
“We know the new so-called not so Supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” he said, characterizing Iranian leadership as chaotic and unable to mount an effective response.
“The military capabilities of their evil regime are crumbling,” he added.
Gen. Dan Caine reported that American forces have now reached the 13th day of Operation Epic Fury and verified that U.S. military units continue targeting missile installations, unmanned aircraft, maritime assets, and weapons facilities across Iran.
“CENTCOM [US Central Command) continues to attack ballistic missile and drone capabilities so that they are no longer a threat to US forces, our bases or our partners,” Caine explained.
According to Caine, American forces have hit more than 6,000 locations and are conducting continuous air operations above Iran.
“CENTCOM is now persistently over the enemy,” he stated.
Caine reported that U.S. forces have also attacked Iran’s maritime forces and mine deployment systems in the Strait of Hormuz to ensure open shipping lanes.
“We’ve rendered the Iranian Navy combat ineffective,” he said.
He noted that America continues targeting ships and port facilities used to endanger merchant vessels.
“The only thing preventing commercial traffic and flow through the Straits right now … is Iran,” Caine said.
The military leaders also discussed an unrelated incident involving American personnel.
Caine verified that four crew members were rescued after a KC-135 fuel tanker crashed in western Iraq while conducting a combat operation.
“The incident occurred over friendly territory in western Iraq,” he said, emphasizing that it “was not the result of hostile or friendly fire.”
Caine said search and rescue efforts are ongoing and military officials will provide additional details when available.
Hegseth commended American military personnel participating in the operation and said the current administration remains focused on meeting its goals.
“President Trump holds the cards,” Hegseth concluded. “He’ll determine the pace, the tempo and the timing of this conflict.”
