President Donald Trump warned Sunday that the United States had not yet fully retaliated against Iran following a series of escalating attacks, stating a “considerable wave” of strikes was still to come. The comments came as missile strikes continued across the Middle East and the Pentagon held a press conference outlining the objectives of “Operation Epic Fury,” the ongoing military campaign against the Islamic Republic.
The operation, launched March 1st, aims to “eliminate the imminent nuclear threat posed by the Iranian regime, destroy its ballistic missile arsenal, degrade its proxy terror networks, and cripple its naval forces,” according to a statement released by the White House. Despite the deaths of top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, administration officials insisted the goal was not regime change.
At a Pentagon press conference, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized the scale of the operation, while attempting to assuage concerns about a protracted conflict. “This is not Iraq… This is not endless,” Hegseth stated, though he also confirmed the US was not ruling out any options. The White House has indicated the conflict could last up to four weeks.
Iran has responded to the US offensive with retaliatory strikes targeting US military bases in Gulf states. Adding to the tensions, Kuwait’s military reported accidentally shooting down “several” US military aircraft in a friendly fire incident. The incident has not been publicly addressed by the Pentagon.
The conflict is not limited to direct US-Iran clashes. Israel continues to exchange fire with Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, prompting the Lebanese government to ban Hezbollah’s military and security activities and demand the group surrender its weapons.
US Central Command reported Sunday that Iran’s navy in the Gulf of Oman had been effectively neutralized, stating, “Two days ago, the Iranian regime had 11 ships in the Gulf of Oman, today they have ZERO.” The claim suggests a swift and decisive early victory for the US-led forces in a strategically vital waterway.
The economic impact of the conflict is already being felt, with air traffic in the region largely halted and shipping flows through the Strait of Hormuz slowing, according to reports. Iranian-Americans have reportedly expressed support for the operation, with some describing it as a turning point for the people of Iran.
The Atlantic Council reports that President Trump authorized the sweeping campaign believing it would inflict enough damage on Iran’s core institutions to cause the regime to fall. This represents a departure from previous, more limited actions taken by the Trump administration against Iran.
