US says strikes on Iran aim to dismantle military infrastructure

WASHINGTON (MNTV) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Air Force General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said military operations in Iran would continue as part of what officials described as a broad effort to degrade Tehran’s military capabilities.

At a Pentagon news conference, Hegseth issued a stark warning, saying Washington would pursue those responsible for the deaths of U.S. citizens.

“We will pursue and we will kill those who killed Americans,” he said, adding that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. He accused Tehran of expanding its conventional military capacity as a shield for what he described as nuclear ambitions.

Hegseth criticised the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under former U.S. President Barack Obama, calling it a failed arrangement that had not prevented Iran from advancing its programme.

Officials said the ongoing campaign — dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” — targets Iranian missile systems, production facilities, naval assets and other security infrastructure.

Hegseth characterised the strikes as surgical and overwhelming, aimed at achieving strategic objectives without escalating into what he called an endless war.

He acknowledged reports of U.S. casualties, noting that four service members had been killed during operations.

While emphasising that most incoming projectiles were intercepted by air defences, he said one strike penetrated a fortified operations centre using powerful munitions.

The US Red Crescent reported that at least 555 people had been killed in the US-Israeli attacks since Saturday. Iranian state media also claimed a separate strike on a school in southern Iran had killed at least 165 people, though those figures could not be independently verified.

Hegseth suggested the operation presented an opportunity for the Iranian public to reconsider the direction of their government.

“The Iranian people have an incredible opportunity,” he said, without elaborating.

General Caine described the campaign as a major combat operation rather than a single overnight mission. He said U.S. forces expected further losses but stressed efforts to minimise casualties.

“Our mission is to protect ourselves and our regional partners and prevent Iran from projecting power beyond its borders,” Caine said. “This is about maintaining security and being prepared for follow-on actions as necessary.”

He confirmed that U.S. forces had achieved local air superiority over Iran, a development he said would enhance the protection of personnel and allow continued operations.

While reiterating that no U.S. ground troops were deployed in Iran, Hegseth declined to rule out future military steps. He argued that publicly outlining potential options would aid adversaries and undermine operational effectiveness.

“To reveal every detail of what we might do would make no sense,” he said.

Caine issued a broader warning to potential adversaries.

“To those who would test our resolve or threaten the United States or its allies, understand clearly: we can reach you, we can sustain the fight and we will prevail,” he said.

The news conference underscored Washington’s determination to press forward with the campaign despite growing regional tensions and concerns about broader conflict in the Middle East.

Officials maintained that the operations were defensive in nature and aimed at preventing Iran from expanding its military influence.