Quick Read
- Secretary of War HON Pete Hegseth described the U.S.-Israeli operation in Iran as “laser-focused” and not “endless.”
- The mission, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” aims to destroy Iranian missile capabilities and naval infrastructure.
- Four U.S. service members have been killed since the operation began.
- Kuwait reported a “friendly fire” incident involving U.S. F-15s, and its embassy was hit by an apparent Iranian missile.
- President Trump indicated the operation could conclude within “four weeks or less.”
WASHINGTON (Azat TV) – U.S. Secretary of War HON Pete Hegseth declared on Monday that the ongoing U.S. and Israeli military operation against Iran is “laser-focused” and will not be an “endless” conflict, as the joint mission entered its third day. Speaking at a Pentagon press conference alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, Hegseth outlined the administration’s specific objectives amid escalating tensions and confirmed casualties.
Hegseth emphasized that the operation, codenamed “Operation Epic Fury,” is distinct from past protracted engagements. “This is not Iraq,” Hegseth stated. “This is not endless. I was there for both — our generation knows better, and so does this president. He called the last 20 years of nation-building wars dumb and he’s right. This is the opposite.”
The Defense Secretary articulated the mission’s clear goals: “Destroy Iranian missiles, destroy Iranian missile production, destroy their navy and other security infrastructure and they will never have nuclear weapons.” He also reiterated that there are currently no U.S. military “boots on the ground” in Iran, though he declined to specify future actions. Gen. Caine confirmed the military objective would be “difficult to achieve” and involve “gritty work.”
Hegseth Outlines Operation Epic Fury Goals
The U.S. and Israel launched “Operation Epic Fury” over the weekend, following President Donald Trump’s order given on Friday afternoon. The initial phase involved massive strikes, including targeting and killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at his compound in Tehran. Gen. Caine detailed the coordinated launch of over 100 aircraft from land and sea, supported by electronic attack bombers and unmanned platforms, forming a “single synchronized wave.” He noted that the first strikes at sea involved U.S. Navy Tomahawks targeting Iranian naval forces and southern flank infrastructure.
Hegseth accused Iran of initiating the conflict, citing its “stubborn and self-evident nuclear pursuit” and “targeting global shipping lines.” He asserted, “Iran had a conventional gun to our head as they tried to lie their way to a nuclear bomb.” Gen. Caine added that the mission’s broader aim is “to protect and defend ourselves, and together with our regional partners, prevent Iran from the ability to project power outside of its borders.” The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs highlighted that the operation was the result of “months, and in some cases, years, of deliberate planning and refinement,” with initial targets including command and control infrastructure, naval forces, ballistic missile sites, and intelligence assets to disrupt the adversary’s ability to respond effectively.
Casualties and Incidents in the Iran Conflict
The operation has resulted in casualties and significant incidents. Hegseth announced on Monday that a fourth American service member had been killed after a tactical commander center was hit, following the deaths of three U.S. service members in Kuwait over the weekend. In a separate incident on Monday, Kuwait shot down three U.S. F-15s in what CENTCOM described as a “friendly fire incident,” though all crewmembers were reported safe. Smoke was also observed rising from the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait after an apparent Iranian missile strike.
On the Iranian side, the Iranian Red Crescent reported 555 fatalities. At least 11 people have been killed in Israel. Gen. Caine stated that it would “take some time for us to conduct a battle damage assessment” of the strikes.
President Trump’s Stance on Mission Duration
President Trump had indicated on Sunday that the joint military operation would continue “until all of our objectives are achieved,” suggesting a potential duration of “four weeks or less.” He also cautioned that more American casualties were possible. These remarks were made in an interview with The New York Times and through two prerecorded video messages released since the conflict began. Hegseth reiterated the administration’s commitment to concluding the mission decisively, telling reporters, “We didn’t start this war but under President Trump we’re finishing it.”
The administration’s swift and clear articulation of the mission’s scope and its firm timeline, as presented by Secretary of War HON Pete Hegseth, signals a strategic intent to manage public expectations and avoid the pitfalls of prolonged military engagements that have characterized past U.S. interventions in the Middle East.