Tuesday will be ‘most intense day’ of strikes on Iran: US Defence Secretary

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the American military was preparing its largest round of air operations so far under Operation Epic Fury, aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities.

Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, Hegseth said the US would deploy its highest number of fighter jets and bombers for strikes inside Iran.

“Today will be yet again our most intense day of strikes inside Iran — the most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes,” he said.

Aim to cripple Iran’s military capabilities

Hegseth said the primary objective of Operation Epic Fury is to destroy Iran’s missile stockpiles, naval capabilities and defence industrial base.

The conflict began after a joint attack by the United States and Israel on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes by Tehran on American military bases in the region and escalating tensions across the Middle East.

Asked about how long the conflict could continue, Hegseth declined to speculate on its timeline.

“It’s not for me to posit whether it’s the beginning, the middle or the end,” he said.

The defence secretary claimed that Iran’s missile launches had significantly decreased over the past 24 hours.

“Iran stands alone and is badly losing,” Hegseth said, adding that the Iranian government had fired the lowest number of missiles in the last day since the war began.

He also accused Iran of deliberately placing military launch systems in civilian areas.

“They are deliberately targeting innocent citizens and moving rocket launchers into civilian neighbourhoods, near schools and hospitals to try to prevent our ability to strike,” he said.

Warning over strait of Hormuz oil route

Hegseth also issued a strong warning to Tehran over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.

He said any attempt by Iran to disrupt oil flow through the strait would trigger a severe military response from Washington.

“If they do anything to stop the flow of oil in the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit harder than ever,” he said.

The warning follows comments by US President Donald Trump that Washington would strike Iran “20 times harder” if it tried to block the vital maritime corridor.

Regional tensions rise

Meanwhile, Israel’s military said it had launched fresh airstrikes targeting Iran’s capital, Tehran. Missile alerts and explosions were also reported across the region.

In Doha, the defence ministry of Qatar said it intercepted an incoming missile, with blasts heard across the city.

Iranian security official Ali Larijani responded to Washington’s warnings in a post on social media platform X, saying: “The sacrificial nation of Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats.”

The exchange underscores the growing tensions as missile strikes and air raids continue between Iran and Israel, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.