Hegseth vows 'most intense day' of strikes as US presses Iran campaign

2026-03-10 - 13:13

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday that American forces will execute their "most intense day" of strikes in the ongoing military operation against Iran, as the campaign enters its 11th day with no signs of abating. Speaking at a news conference alongside Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Hegseth declared: "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." Three objectives outlined "On day 10 of Operation Epic Fury, we are winning with an overwhelming and unrelenting focus on our objectives," Hegseth said. He listed three primary goals of the war: destroying Iran's missile stockpiles, launchers and defense industrial base, including their ability to produce missiles; destroying Iran's navy; and denying Tehran the ability to produce nuclear weapons. "We will not relent until the enemy is totally and decisively defeated," Hegseth added without specifying when the operation might conclude. Strike statistics Gen. Caine reported that US forces have struck more than 5,000 Iranian targets in the first 10 days of the military campaign, with more than 50 Iranian naval ships destroyed. "US CENTCOM continues today to hunt and strike mine-laying vessels and mine storage facilities. This work will continue," he added. The campaign, launched Feb. 28, has killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top security officials, along with approximately 1,300 people according to Iranian authorities. Regional context The intensified strikes come as Iran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US assets, with the conflict expanding to include Hezbollah engagements on Israel's northern border and Houthi-related tensions in Yemen. The US-Israeli campaign has drawn international concern over civilian casualties, infrastructure damage and the potential for wider regional war.