US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that the US attacked more than 7000 targets inside Iran. He said that this war will now end on America’s terms. During a press conference at the Pentagon, Hegseth also dismissed concerns that the war could drag on. He said the operation remains completely decisive, aimed at destroying Iran’s missile systems, defense industry and naval power, as well as preventing it from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Drone attacks have decreased: Pete Hegseth
Pete Hegseth said that ballistic missile attacks on American forces have reduced by 90 percent since the beginning of the war and a similar decline has also been seen in drone attacks. He said, ‘We know that if the Iranians had been able to do something, they would have carried out even more attacks, but now they cannot do so. Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Kane said that US forces are working as per planning and are continuing to attack other internal targets including the tunnel.
Iran’s submarine fleet destroyed: Dan Kane
Dan Kane said, ‘The US Army dropped five thousand pounds of penetrator weapons on the tunnel targets on Wednesday (18 March 2026). This operation is now moving towards the east and penetrating deeper into Iranian airspace. He said that America has also targeted Iran’s naval capabilities. Hegseth said more than 120 ships were damaged or sunk and claimed Iran’s submarine fleet had been effectively disabled. Their surface fleet no longer matters.
Giving information about operational activities, Cain said, ‘American forces are continuously active in their efforts against Iran’s missile capabilities. The Marines are continuing to search and destroy the mine storage facility and ammunition depot. The Pentagon also underlined the increased use of air power. A-10 aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopters are now active along the southern front, including the Strait of Hormud, targeting fast attack boats and drone targets.
Trump will decide the direction of war: Hegseth
Bomber aircraft such as the B-1, B-2 and B-52 are performing long-range missions, supported by extensive aerial refueling. Despite the intensity of the operation, US officials did not give any deadline to end the operation. Hegseth said that we are moving forward according to our plan and it will be up to President Donald Trump to decide when to end the operation. The Defense Secretary described this conflict as a direct response to Iran’s long-standing actions.
He described countries like UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as key partners with Israel. The Pentagon said that amid the internet shutdown inside the country, it is also countering Iran’s propaganda efforts. Hegseth accused the Iranian regime of spreading fake images created by AI to influence people’s thinking about the conflict.
