The United States has declared that it has established overwhelming control over Iranian airspace and waterways following a large-scale military campaign launched in response to an alleged assassination attempt on President Donald Trump.
Speaking at a news conference in Washington, DC, the U.S. Secretary of War, Peter Hegseth, outlined the scope of ongoing operations, describing the campaign as decisive and strategically dominant.
“This conflict was never meant to be a fair fight, and it is not a fair fight,” Hegseth said. “Iran tried to take the life of President Trump, but President Trump got the last laugh.”
He added that the United States has taken control of Iran’s airspace and key waterways, declaring that the terms of the conflict would be determined by Washington. “Iran will never access a nuclear bomb—not on our watch,” he stated.
According to the Secretary, the offensive—codenamed Operation Epic Fury—has deployed extensive air power, surpassing previous U.S. campaigns in intensity. He claimed the operation delivered “twice the air power of shock and awe of Iraq in 2003,” with sustained and coordinated strikes across multiple Iranian military sites.
The briefing detailed continuous aerial operations involving B-2, B-52 and B-1 bombers, Predator drones and fighter aircraft conducting missions over Tehran and other strategic locations. The campaign has reportedly included targeted strikes on missile installations, air defense systems, military leadership structures and critical infrastructure, using precision-guided munitions ranging from 500 to 2,000 pounds.
Hegseth asserted that Iranian missile capabilities had been significantly degraded. “The enemy can no longer shoot the volume of missiles they once did. Our air defenses and those of our allies can sustain this fight easily for as long as we need to,” he said.
He further claimed that U.S. forces had achieved major successes against Iranian naval assets, including the sinking of a warship identified as Soleimani and other vessels operating in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.
Describing the impact on Iran’s military capacity, the Secretary said the Iranian Air Force had been effectively neutralized and that leadership structures linked to the alleged assassination attempt had been targeted and dismantled.
While acknowledging that some Iranian missile and drone capabilities may remain, Hegseth insisted that U.S. and allied forces would continue operations to eliminate residual threats.
“This is not a mission accomplished situation. This is simply a reality check,” he said, adding that the combination of U.S. and Israeli intelligence and combat coordination would maintain pressure on Iranian forces.
The Secretary emphasized that the broader objective of the campaign is to destroy Iran’s missile and drone production capabilities, dismantle its naval strength, secure critical infrastructure and permanently prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
“Our offensive and defensive operations are designed to protect American lives while decisively crushing the enemy before they can strike again,” he said. “Unlike past vague red lines, we act decisively, and we finish what we start.”
He concluded by commending Israel’s cooperation in the operation, describing the partnership as a “force multiplier” executed with precision and determination.
The situation continues to evolve amid heightened tensions in the region, with international observers closely monitoring developments.
