The United States Department of Defense has outlined the strategic objectives guiding its ongoing military campaign against Iran, as senior officials said operations are focused on dismantling Tehran’s missile capacity, naval forces and weapons infrastructure.
Speaking during a briefing in Washington, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine provided updates on the progress of the operation known as Operation Epic Fury. Their remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, emphasised the administration’s view that the campaign is producing measurable results while remaining limited in scope.
Hegseth described the campaign as a direct response to what he characterised as long-standing threats posed by the Iranian government.
Addressing journalists, he stated: “The goals of this mission are clear and it's important to continue to remind the American people of why it is that the greatest military in the history of the world is engaged in this operation.”
According to the defence secretary, the campaign has three central objectives. These include the destruction of Iran’s missile systems and manufacturing facilities, the degradation of its naval capabilities and preventing the country from obtaining nuclear weapons.
He said the United States would continue military action until those objectives are met. “One, destroy their missile stockpiles, their missile launchers, and their defense industrial base. missiles and their ability to make them. Two, destroy their navy. And three, permanently deny Iran nuclear weapons forever.”
Military Assessment of the Campaign
General Caine said the joint force remains focused on degrading Iranian capabilities that could threaten American personnel and regional allies. The military has targeted launch facilities, storage depots and command structures linked to Iran’s missile and drone programmes.
According to the chairman, the operation has already involved thousands of strikes across the region.
Caine explained that US forces have “struck more than 5,000 targets”, including drone factories and missile launch systems. Strategic Command bombers have also deployed large precision-guided munitions against underground sites believed to house missile equipment.
The general told reporters the results are beginning to affect Iran’s ability to conduct attacks. “Ballistic missile attacks continue to trend downward 90% from where they've started and one-way attack drone have decreased 83% since the beginning of the operation.”
Military officials attributed the reduction partly to sustained air operations and the destruction of launch infrastructure.
Naval Targets and Regional Security
US forces have also concentrated on Iran’s naval assets, which Washington says could threaten shipping routes across the Gulf.
Caine said that American forces have targeted vessels and maritime infrastructure associated with Iran’s naval operations. The strikes, he noted, included attacks on an Iranian drone-carrier ship.
He told reporters that the campaign had removed a significant number of vessels from the conflict. “In the first 10 days of the conflict were more than 50 Iranian naval ships into the campaign using a combination of artillery fighters, bombers and sea launch missiles.”
US officials argue that weakening Iran’s naval capacity is essential to maintaining shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor.
Questions Over Duration of the War
During the briefing, journalists asked whether the air campaign might extend for several weeks, as earlier military planning had suggested.
Hegseth declined to provide a timetable, stressing that the duration of the operation would ultimately be determined by the US president.
He said: “Ultimately, the president gets to determine the end state of those objectives.”
At the same time, he insisted the campaign was not intended to resemble previous prolonged US military engagements in the Middle East.
“This is not endless nation building,” the defence secretary said, adding that the administration intended to avoid “mission creep” and maintain a narrow focus on the stated objectives.
Security of American Forces
Officials also addressed concerns about the safety of US troops stationed across the region, particularly if the conflict escalates.
Hegseth said protective measures had been put in place before major offensive operations began.
“Even before we set the offense, we set the defense,” he said, adding that steps were taken to relocate American personnel from vulnerable installations and strengthen air defence systems.
He emphasised that military planners continually adjust tactics in response to developments on the battlefield.
Civilian Casualties and Military Conduct
Responding to questions about civilian harm during the strikes, Hegseth said US forces follow strict procedures designed to minimise casualties.
“No nation takes more precautions to ensure there's never targeting of civilians than the United States of America,” he said.
He accused Iran of deliberately placing military assets near civilian infrastructure to complicate targeting decisions.
According to the defence secretary, incidents involving potential civilian harm are investigated through internal review processes.
Strategic Concerns in the Region
The briefing also addressed the security of global oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The US administration has warned Iran against attempts to disrupt shipping in the area.
Hegseth referred to comments made by former President Donald Trump on the issue, noting the potential consequences of any interference with maritime traffic.
He quoted Trump’s warning that if Iran attempted to halt oil flows through the strait, “Death, fire, and fury will rain upon them.”
General Caine said the US military is examining possible options for escorting commercial vessels if required, although he did not provide operational details.
Political Debate at Home
Reporting from Washington, Al Jazeera correspondent Patty Culhane noted that US officials repeatedly stressed the operation would not become a prolonged conflict.
The emphasis reflects domestic political concerns, as the administration has previously campaigned on reducing US involvement in overseas wars.
Culhane said officials are attempting to reassure the public that the campaign will remain limited while still achieving its strategic objectives.