Is the United States winning its military campaign against Iran?
According to Pete Hegseth, the United States is indeed ‘winning’ in the fight against Iran. He asserted that today marks the ‘most intense day’ of US strikes inside Iran, as the military operation enters its 11th day.
Hegseth’s comments come amid reports that ballistic missile attacks from Iran have diminished by 90% since the start of the US military campaign. The US has struck more than 5,000 targets in Iran, including the destruction of over 50 Iranian naval vessels.
In a recent statement, Hegseth emphasized, “We will not relent until the enemy is totally and decisively defeated.” He also accused Iran of launching missile attacks from civilian locations, such as schools and hospitals, complicating the operational landscape for US forces.
The US military has employed significant firepower, dropping dozens of 2,000lb GPS-guided penetrating weapons on missile launchers, contributing to the reduction in Iran’s missile and drone capabilities. Hegseth noted that one-way attack drones from Iran have decreased by 83% since the campaign began.
In a broader context, the US has previously claimed to have ‘obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear program following strikes on key facilities in June 2025. This ongoing military engagement has drawn comparisons to past conflicts, with Hegseth stating, “This is not 2003. This is not endless nation-building.”
Former President Donald Trump has also weighed in, threatening to increase strikes on Iran by 20 times if oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted. The US is currently considering options to ensure the Strait remains open for tanker traffic, a critical route for global oil supplies.
As the situation develops, Hegseth remains focused on the mission at hand, stating, “The president has set a very specific mission to accomplish, and our job is to unrelentingly deliver that.” However, the full implications of these military actions and their long-term effects on US-Iran relations remain to be seen.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the overall impact of these strikes on Iran’s military capabilities and the potential for further escalation in the region.
