U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the United States has “struck over 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure” and teased the “largest strike package yet,” while vowing that the United States “will finish this” during a briefing at the Pentagon addressing ‘Operation Epic Fury‘ on Thursday (March 19).
“To date, we’ve struck over 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure. That is not incremental. That is overwhelming force applied with precision,” Hegseth said via the New York Post. “Today will be the largest strike package yet, just like yesterday was.”
“Our capabilities continue to build. Iran’s continue to degrade. We’re hunting and striking, [bringing] death and destruction from above. Iran’s air defenses, flattened,” he added. “All ballistic missile attacks against our forces, down 90% since the start of the conflict. Same with one-way attack UAVs — think kamikaze drones — down 90%.
“Now, the Iranians will still shoot, we know that. But they would shoot a lot more if they could. They can’t.”
Hegseth blamed the media for its coverage of the war, echoing the far-right’s accusations of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” by insisting reporters were putting a negative spin on the conflict due to personal vendettas against President Donald Trump.
“A dishonest and anti-Trump press will stop at nothing — we know this, at this point — to downplay progress, amplify every cost, and call into question every step,” he said via the New York Post. “Sadly, TDS is in their DNA. They want President Trump to fail. But you, the American people, know better.”
“To the patriotic members of the press, nobody can deliver perfection in wartime,” he added. “This building knows that more than anyone. But report the reality. We’re winning decisively and on our terms.”
Hegseth also acknowledged Wednesday’s (March 18) dignified transfer of six U.S. service members killed in the crash of a refueling plane in Iraq the previous week.
“What I heard, through tears, through hugs, through strength, and unbreakable resolve, was the same. From family after family. They said, ‘Finish this. Honor their sacrifice. Do not waver. Do not stop until the job is done,'” Hegseth said via the New York Post. “My response, along with that of the president was simple, of course: We will finish this. We will honor their sacrifice.
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