US-Israel war on Iran achieved ‘every single objective’: Hegseth

At a Pentagon press briefing, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine provided an update on Operation Epic Fury, announcing the end of major combat operations after 38 days. Hegseth declared a "historic and overwhelming victory," stating that Iran's navy is "at the bottom of the sea," its air force has been "wiped out," and Iran no longer has a comprehensive air defence system — adding that "we own their skies." He claimed that "Iran begged for this ceasefire" and that President Trump spared Iranian power plants, bridges and oil infrastructure "because Iran accepted the ceasefire under overwhelming pressure." General Caine detailed the scope of the operation, reporting that more than 13,000 targets were struck — including 4,000 dynamic targets — 80 percent of Iran's air defence systems were destroyed, more than 90 percent of Iran's regular naval fleet (150 ships) was sunk, and 80 percent of Iran's nuclear industrial base was hit.