Photo: U.S. Navy / Getty Images News / Getty Images
Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of War, announced Tuesday (March 10) that American forces would launch their most powerful wave of attacks yet against Iran, marking day 10 of Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-Israeli military campaign targeting the Iranian regime.
"Today will be, yet again, our most intense day of strikes inside Iran," Hegseth said at a Pentagon press conference alongside Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Hegseth vowed to send "the most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes" against Iran.
The announcement came even as Iran fired its lowest number of missiles in a 24-hour period since the war began. Caine confirmed that ballistic missile attacks from Iran are "down 90% from when we started," calling the ongoing military effort "gritty and tireless work."
Hegseth outlined three core military objectives: destroying Iran's missile stockpiles and production capability, dismantling its navy, and permanently preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. "We will not relent until the enemy is totally and decisively defeated," he said.
Hegseth stressed the campaign is unlike past U.S. military engagements, saying, "This is not 2003 and it is not endless nation-building." He added that President Trump "gets to control the throttle" on the pace and duration of the war.
As Hegseth spoke Tuesday, authorities in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, confirmed an Iranian drone attack ignited a fire at the Ruwais Industrial Complex oil refinery. No injuries were immediately reported. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE all reported intercepting Iranian missiles and drones overnight.
Oil prices have swung sharply since the war began on February 28, with Brent crude briefly approaching $120 per barrel before falling back to around $93 on Tuesday. European stock markets rallied Tuesday following Trump's comments that the war could end quickly.