As the conflict with Iran enters its twelfth day, roughly 50,000 U.S. service members remain deployed across the Middle East while American forces have struck more than 5,500 targets inside Iran.
During a Pentagon briefing Tuesday morning, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the campaign was entering what he described as the most intense phase of operations.
Hegseth told reporters the coming strikes would involve “the most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes” carried out with increasingly refined intelligence.
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, also delivered an update on the ongoing military campaign.
“U.S. forces continue delivering devastating combat power against the Iranian regime,” Cooper said in a video statement released Wednesday.
He added that American forces are steadily degrading Iran’s military capabilities.
“U.S. combat power is building. Iranian combat power is declining, and we remain centered on very clear military objectives in eliminating Iran’s ability to project power against Americans and against its neighbors,” Cooper said.
According to the admiral, American forces are striking Iranian ballistic missile sites and drone launch capabilities on a daily basis.
Cooper also said the United States has destroyed more than 60 Iranian naval vessels using precision weapons systems. The remaining Soleimani-class warships operated by Iran have also reportedly been eliminated.
Military officials say the sustained attacks have significantly reduced Iran’s ability to launch missile and drone strikes.
Cooper said attacks originating from Iran have “dropped drastically,” though he warned that Iranian forces are still targeting civilians in parts of the region while operating near populated areas.
U.S. Central Command issued a warning Wednesday advising Iranian civilians to stay away from naval facilities and military equipment.
“Iranian dockworkers, administrative personnel, and commercial vessel crews should avoid Iranian naval vessels and military equipment,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
Meanwhile, reports Wednesday indicated that projectiles landed near the Strait of Hormuz and struck three commercial vessels operating in the area.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes for global energy supplies.
While speaking to reporters outside the White House on Wednesday, President Donald Trump was asked whether oil companies should continue using the strategic waterway.
“I think they should. I think they should use the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump said. “We took out just about all of their mine ships in one night… just about all of their navy is gone.”
Trump has continued to express confidence about the progress made by U.S. and Israeli forces since the operation began.
At the same time, officials say the conflict has taken a toll on American forces in the region.
The Pentagon confirmed Tuesday that approximately 140 U.S. service members have been wounded since the start of Operation Epic Fury.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said most of the injuries were minor and many troops have already returned to duty.
“Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, approximately 140 service members have been wounded over 10 days of sustained attacks,” Parnell said. “The vast majority of these injuries have been minor, and 108 service members have already returned to duty.”
Eight service members remain listed as severely injured and are receiving advanced medical treatment, according to the Pentagon.
Seven American service members have also been killed since the conflict began during Iranian attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
