Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine provided an update Tuesday on Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-led military campaign against Iran that began on February 28. Hegseth described the next phase as decisive, stating American firepower continues to increase while Iran's diminishes.

Hegseth recounted his unannounced weekend visit to U.S. troops in the Middle East, where he observed high morale among active-duty, Guard, and Reserve personnel. Troops demonstrated competency, ingenuity, and lethality, with one airman requesting "more bombs, sir, bigger bombs." He contrasted this resolve with Iran's military, which faces widespread desertions, personnel shortages, and leadership frustrations due to U.S. strikes.

Gen. Caine detailed operational progress over the past 30 days, including more than 11,000 targets struck across Iran's ballistic missile programs, supply chains, naval assets, and defense industrial base. The U.S. Navy has neutralized over 150 Iranian ships, including all frigates, while achieving air superiority that enabled the first overland B-52 missions. Defensive measures have intercepted missiles and drones, protecting U.S. forces and partners.

Iran's responses have slowed markedly, with the lowest number of missile and drone launches in the last 24 hours. Hegseth noted 200 dynamic strikes overnight alone, targeting command bunkers and forcing Iranian leaders to flee. Iran's defense production capacity is nearly destroyed, leaving it unable to reconstitute forces effectively. He declared that regime change had occurred, with a new leadership appearing more amenable to talks.

The core objectives remain destroying Iran's missile arsenal, navy, power projection capabilities, and nuclear infrastructure to prevent weapon development. Hegseth emphasized President Trump's action-oriented leadership, praising his willingness to pursue a deal on U.S. terms while maintaining pressure. Negotiations are active and gaining momentum, with Iran urged to relinquish ambitions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Hegseth called on allies, including the UK Royal Navy, to contribute more to securing the strait, where vessel traffic has increased, but inspections remain challenging. An Iranian drone attack on a Kuwaiti oil tanker near Dubai has driven U.S. gas prices above $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022.

During questions, officials avoided specific timelines but aligned with Trump's 4-6 week framework. Ground forces remain an option among unpredictable strategies, though the focus stays on air and sea dominance. Caine stressed multi-domain operations and the U.S. defense industrial base's role in sustaining momentum.

Hegseth reiterated a preference for diplomacy backed by military leverage: "We would much prefer to get a deal." Without one, strikes would intensify, potentially targeting energy infrastructure while minimizing civilian harm.