By: Buhle Mbhele
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says American military strikes against Iran will intensify, warning that the campaign will not relent until the enemy is “totally and decisively defeated”.
Speaking about Operation Epic Fury, Hegseth said the next phase of the operation would amplify attacks as the United States increases pressure on Iranian military capabilities.
According to US military officials, American forces have struck more than 5,000 targets since the conflict began, including missile sites, weapons infrastructure and naval assets.
Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US military bases across the Middle East, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
Hegseth said the objectives of Operation Epic Fury remain unchanged: to destroy Iran’s missile stockpiles and production capability, dismantle its navy and permanently deny Tehran the ability to develop nuclear weapons.
The US and its allies say the operation is aimed at neutralising threats to American forces and regional partners, while Iran has condemned the strikes as acts of aggression and vowed continued retaliation.
