Washington: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified on Monday that the ongoing military operations against Iran are designed to be strategic and finite, emphasizing that while they are not "endless," they will not achieve their objectives "overnight." His remarks came during a press conference at the Pentagon, alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, following the initiation of a surprise coordinated attack by the United States and Israel on Iran, which resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the U.S. military has confirmed six combat fatalities on its side during the operation, codenamed "Operation Epic Fury," while reports from the Iranian Red Crescent indicate more than 550 deaths in Iran. Hegseth underscored that this operation is distinct from previous prolonged conflicts such as Iraq, stating it aims to be a "clear, devastating, decisive mission" targeting Iran's missile threat and naval capabilities, while ensuring no nuclear advancements.
Hegseth accused Iran of using conventional military capabilities to bolster its nuclear ambitions and stressed that the operation's objectives would take time to achieve. He stated that President Donald Trump dictates the operational tempo, assuring that the U.S. strategy involves controlling Iranian airspace aggressively to neutralize threats effectively.
Gen. Caine described the initiative as a "major combat operation," noting the difficulty and complexity involved. He indicated that the military objectives would require time and possibly lead to further U.S. losses, but emphasized efforts to minimize casualties. Despite inquiries, Hegseth declined to specify whether American troops are currently in Iran, labeling such details as strategically imprudent.
Hegseth defended the military strategy, asserting that diplomatic avenues were exhaustively explored, but Tehran's ongoing missile and nuclear activities necessitated decisive action. He clarified that the operation is not aimed at regime change, although the leadership in Iran has changed as a result.
The operation has seen over 1,000 targets struck within the first 24 hours, with CENTCOM systematically targeting Iranian military and intelligence infrastructure. Over 100 aircraft, including fighter jets and unmanned platforms, have been utilized in what Gen. Caine described as a "massive, overwhelming attack across all domains of warfare."