Today will be the heaviest day of strikes on Iran – US war department

Favour Ulebor, Abuja

The United States has warned that its military campaign against Iran is entering its most intense phase yet, with Washington declaring that a new wave of attacks will significantly escalate the conflict.

Speaking during a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday, the US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, said the latest operations under Operation Epic Fury would mark the most aggressive round of strikes since the war began.

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

According to him, the offensive is aimed at destroying Iran’s missile stockpiles, launch systems and defence industrial base, as well as weakening the country’s naval forces and preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Hegseth also said the United States and Israel were making significant progress in the conflict.

“We are crushing the enemy in an unrelenting way; We do so on our timeline and at our choosing,” He said.

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, told reporters that US led strikes had significantly reduced Iran’s ability to retaliate.

Caine said ballistic missile attacks from Iran had dropped by 90 per cent since the start of the operation, while one way attack drone launches had declined by 83 per cent.

He added that more than 50 Iranian naval vessels had been struck since hostilities began.

According to him, the US military has concentrated its attacks on key centres within Iran’s military and industrial infrastructure to prevent the country from producing drones and other advanced weapons.

Despite the escalating attacks, Hegseth stressed that the duration and objectives of the campaign would ultimately be decided by the US President, Donald Trump.

“Our will is endless, but ultimately the president gets to determine the end state of those objectives,” he said.

Addressing criticism about Israel’s role in the conflict, he said Washington was pursuing its own strategic goals.

“Israel has been a strong partner, but we are focused on our objectives; The president is leading and determining where we want to go. We are not being pulled in any direction,” He said.

Hegseth also warned Iran’s leadership amid reports that the country’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, may have been injured.

“Khamenei would be wise to listen to the president’s message not to pursue nuclear weapons,” he said.

The defence chief added that Iranian forces were becoming increasingly weakened by the sustained air campaign.

“Iran stands alone, And they are badly losing,” he said.

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