LIVE: US's Hegseth and Caine hold a briefing on Iran
TL;DR
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Caine briefed reporters on Day 10 of Operation Epic Fury, reporting a 90% reduction in Iranian missile attacks and the destruction of over 50 naval vessels while emphasizing the mission's narrow focus on eliminating Iran's nuclear and offensive capabilities without engaging in nation-building.
🎯 Operation Epic Fury: Objectives and Intensity 3 insights
Three-pronged military strategy defined
The operation pursues explicit goals: destroying Iran's missile infrastructure and defense industrial base, eliminating its navy capabilities, and permanently denying the regime nuclear weapons.
Day 10 marks peak intensity
US forces executed the most intense day of strikes yet, deploying the highest number of fighters and bombers with refined intelligence targeting deeply buried missile launchers.
Over 5,000 targets struck
Strategic Command bombers dropped dozens of 2,000 lb GPS penetrating weapons across Iran's southern flank while striking drone factories and command nodes.
📉 Quantified Degradation of Iranian Forces 3 insights
Missile and drone capability collapsed
Iranian ballistic missile attacks decreased 90% since operations began while one-way drone attacks dropped 83%, indicating severe degradation of offensive capabilities.
Navy systematically dismantled
US forces destroyed more than 50 Iranian naval vessels including a drone carrier ship and multiple mine-laying vessels to secure Strait of Hormuz transit.
Industrial base targeted
Strikes focus on production facilities, research sites, and infrastructure to prevent regeneration of attack capabilities and long-term power projection.
⚔️ Strategic Doctrine: Precision Over Occupation 3 insights
Explicit rejection of nation-building
Leadership contrasted this operation with 2003 Iraq-style quagmires, emphasizing brutal efficiency and total air dominance without ground occupation or endless missions.
Presidential control of timeline
The campaign operates with maximum authority but no fixed end date, allowing the President to control the throttle while avoiding mission creep or half measures.
Unilateral execution emphasized
Secretary Hegseth noted that no other country could execute the described sustained flight operations, highlighting unique American carrier capabilities.
🎖️ Force Recognition and Fallen Heroes 3 insights
Dover ceremonies for fallen warriors
Leaders honored four service members including Staff Sergeant Benjamin Pennington and Major Jeffrey O'Brien as they returned home through Dover Air Force Base.
Carrier groups extended deployment
Chairman Caine recognized the Ford and Lincoln Carrier Strike Groups for maintaining unrelenting operational tempo despite months-long extensions at sea.
Yellow shirts highlighted
Specific praise was given to flight deck crew members averaging early 20s in age who manage catapult operations and aircraft recovery in dangerous conditions.
Bottom Line
The US is executing a time-limited, air-dominated campaign to systematically dismantle Iran's nuclear and conventional offensive capabilities with quantifiable degradation metrics while explicitly avoiding open-ended nation-building commitments or ground troop occupations.
More from Reuters
View all
LIVE: Capitol Hill ceremony marks the dedication of time capsule
Congressional leaders gathered to dedicate a time capsule that will be sealed by the 119th Congress and opened in 2276 by the 244th Congress, containing artifacts from every state to commemorate America's 250th anniversary and convey current values to future generations.
What happens when the Federal Reserve goes quiet? | Econ World
New Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Walsh is spearheading a "silent revolution" by eliminating forward guidance and shortening statements to reduce market dependency on Fed signaling, sparking debate over whether less communication enhances or undermines central bank effectiveness during normal economic times.
LIVE: Outgoing British PM Keir Starmer takes questions in parliament
Outgoing Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer defends his government's record on NHS investment, economic growth, and defense spending while facing sharp criticism from opposition leaders over his resignation and cabinet performance during his final parliamentary questioning session.
LIVE: US World Cup players speak from California base camp
US Men's National Team players highlight their tight-knit chemistry and competitive training culture as drivers of World Cup success, while discussing professional sacrifices, the importance of momentum, and the unique motivation of representing their home country on the West Coast.