Pentagon Declares Most Intense Day of Strikes Against Iran as U.S. Military Reports 90% Reduction in Iranian Missile Launches

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday as the most intensive day of U.S. military strikes against Iran to date, deploying the largest concentration of fighters, bombers, and strike missions since the conflict began. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing alongside Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine, Hegseth confirmed that U.S. forces have struck more than 5,000 targets since operations commenced. Caine outlined three core military objectives: dismantling Iran's missile and drone capabilities, neutralizing the Iranian navy, and degrading the country's broader military and industrial infrastructure. Officials report that combined U.S. and Israeli strikes have achieved a 90% reduction in Iranian missile launches against Israel and Persian Gulf allies. Despite President Trump's statement to CBS News that the war is 'very complete' in a military sense, the Defense Department simultaneously published social media content declaring the fight had 'Only Just Begun,' exposing a notable inconsistency in the administration's messaging. Iran launched fresh attacks against Gulf Arab states Tuesday, while Israeli strikes extended into southern and eastern Lebanon. Seven American service members have died in the conflict. Oil markets reacted sharply to escalating uncertainty, with crude prices surging to $119 per barrel, the highest since the early stages of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. Trump has also raised the prospect of seizing control of the Strait of Hormuz — through which approximately 20% of global oil supply transits — should Iran attempt to block the critical waterway. Meanwhile, reports that newly appointed Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei may have been wounded remain unconfirmed, with Hegseth declining to comment on his condition.