The United States announced that Iranian missile and drone capabilities have seen a notable decline in the initial ten days of ‘Operation Epic Fury’. According to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine, there has been a substantial decrease in ballistic missile attacks as American strikes intensify.
Caine highlighted the reduction in ballistic missile attacks by 90% and a decrease of 83% in one-way attack drones since the operation’s commencement. US forces and regional partners have targeted over 5000 locations, with US Strategic Command bombers recently deploying GPS penetrating weapons on buried missile launchers.
The Pentagon disclosed that ‘Operation Epic Fury’ is primarily focused on three objectives: degrading Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, targeting its navy, and striking deeper into its military-industrial infrastructure. The campaign aims to prevent attacks on American forces and partners by neutralizing launch sites, command nodes, and stockpiles before they pose a threat.
Caine emphasized the campaign’s efforts to weaken Iran’s naval forces in the Gulf, with over 50 Iranian naval ships targeted using various military assets. Additionally, operations have included striking an Iranian drone carrier ship and combating mine-laying vessels and storage facilities. The third objective involves targeting Iran’s broader military and industrial network to disrupt its military capabilities.
Hegseth stressed the use of overwhelming force in executing the campaign, stating that the operation will persist until the enemy is decisively defeated. He outlined plans for an intensified wave of strikes in the next phase while ensuring the campaign’s limited scope and adherence to specific mission objectives. The ultimate goal remains preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and eliminating its capacity to threaten US forces.
