Washington

Pete Hegseth, the United States Secretary of War, on Thursday warned that Iran will face the “largest strike package yet,” asserting that Washington is winning the ongoing conflict “decisively and on our terms.”

Addressing a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth said the military campaign, code-named Operation Epic Fury, is “laser-focused” and guided by objectives set by US President Donald Trump.

“We’re winning — decisively and on our terms,” he said, adding that US forces have struck over 7,000 targets across Iran since the conflict began on February 28.

According to Hegseth, the strikes have targeted key elements of Iran’s military infrastructure, including air defence systems, missile and drone production facilities, and defence industrial bases.

He claimed that Iran’s air defences have been “flattened,” while its ability to manufacture ballistic missiles has been severely degraded, with attacks on US forces reportedly down by 90 per cent.

The Secretary also highlighted major naval losses, stating that over 120 Iranian naval vessels have been damaged or sunk, and key military ports have been crippled.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine said US forces are using high-impact weapons to target underground missile storage sites and coastal defence systems, while expanding operations deeper into Iranian airspace.

The ongoing conflict, involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, has significantly escalated since the killing of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in late February.

In response, Iran has launched retaliatory strikes across the region and imposed restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global energy corridor—disrupting oil shipments and impacting international markets.

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Following Khamenei’s death, his son Mojtaba Khamenei assumed leadership, as tensions continue to rise with no immediate signs of de-escalation.