Eduardo Sifuentes
preCharge News POLITICS — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that American forces are preparing for their most intense day of strikes yet against Iran, as the conflict enters Day 10 of Operation Epic Fury.
“Today will be, yet again, our most intense day of strikes inside Iran,” Hegseth said during a press conference at the The Pentagon alongside Dan Caine.
Hegseth said Iran was “badly losing” in the conflict, noting the country fired fewer missiles in the past 24 hours than it is capable of launching.
U.S. Military Outlines Three Key War Objectives
Destroy Missiles, Navy and Nuclear Capabilities
According to Hegseth, U.S. forces are pursuing three major objectives in the campaign against Iran:
- Destroy Iran’s missile stockpiles and manufacturing capability
- Eliminate the country’s naval forces
- Permanently prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons
“We’re crushing the enemy in an overwhelming display of technical skill and military force,” Hegseth said.
“We will not relent until the enemy is totally and decisively defeated.”
The operation began after coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets on Feb. 28.
Trump Says War May End Sooner Than Expected
President Controls Pace of Military Campaign
President Donald Trump said Monday that the war could end “very soon,” suggesting Iranian military assets were being destroyed faster than initially expected.
Hegseth said Trump is directly controlling the pace of the campaign.
“The president gets to control the throttle,” Hegseth told reporters.
“He’s the one deciding when we’re achieving particular objectives.”
The defense secretary previously estimated the conflict could last three to eight weeks, but indicated the timeline could change depending on battlefield developments.
U.S. Warns Iran Against Disrupting Global Oil Supplies
Strait of Hormuz Remains Key Flashpoint
Trump also warned Iran’s leadership against interfering with global energy markets.
In a post on Truth Social, the president said the United States would respond forcefully if Iran attempted to block oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States twenty times harder,” Trump wrote.
The waterway carries roughly 20% of global oil shipments, making it one of the most strategically important energy chokepoints in the world.
Iranian Drone Attack Sparks Fire at UAE Refinery
Strike Targets Ruwais Industrial Complex
As the Pentagon briefing took place, authorities in Abu Dhabi confirmed that an Iranian drone strike ignited a fire at the Ruwais Industrial Complex in the United Arab Emirates.
Officials said no injuries were immediately reported.
Hegseth also criticized Iran for attacking neighboring Gulf states, noting some had previously maintained cooperative relations with Tehran.
Leadership Shift in Iran Raises Tensions
Mojtaba Khamenei Named Supreme Leader
The war also coincides with a major political shift inside Iran following the death of longtime supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
His son Mojtaba Khamenei has been named the country’s new supreme leader.
Trump said he was “not happy” about the leadership change and warned Mojtaba Khamenei against pursuing nuclear weapons.
“He would be wise to heed our president and not pursue nuclear weapons,” Hegseth said.
Despite the ongoing war, Trump suggested diplomacy could still be possible.
“I’m hearing they want to talk badly,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News, adding that talks with Iran’s leaders remain “possible.”
Want to earn some extra money on the side? Buy PCPi Coin or Subscribe to VIP and get dividens monthly.
____
Associated Press, CNBC News, Fox News, and preCharge News contributed to this report.
