US Vows Relentless Campaign Against Iran as War Intensifies Across the Region
The United States has declared that it is prepared to sustain its military offensive against Iran for as long as necessary, asserting that Tehran will not be able to withstand the prolonged pressure of the conflict.
Senior American defence officials said the campaign is progressing strongly and warned that additional forces and weapon systems will continue to be deployed to the region.
Speaking at the Pentagon on Wednesday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said American forces were carrying out the military campaign with overwhelming strength and determination.
He stated that the United States would continue its operations until its objectives are fully achieved, emphasising that Washington will set the pace of the war and maintain pressure on Iranian forces.
According to Hegseth, the United States currently holds a decisive advantage in the conflict and is carrying out powerful strikes against Iranian military infrastructure.
He also announced that additional combat aircraft, including fighter jets and long-range bombers, will soon be deployed to the region to strengthen the ongoing operations.
Iranian Warship Destroyed in Major Naval Strike
In one of the most significant developments of the war so far, an American submarine launched a torpedo attack late Tuesday night that sank an Iranian naval vessel.
The strike marked the first time since the Second World War that a US submarine had destroyed an enemy warship in combat.
The vessel, identified as IRIS Dena, was among Iran’s newer naval assets. Following the attack, the ship reportedly sent a distress signal while sinking off the southern coast of Sri Lanka.
Authorities there said rescue teams from the navy and air force managed to save 32 survivors out of approximately 180 personnel believed to have been aboard the vessel.
US officials described the operation as a major tactical success and a clear signal of American naval dominance in the region.
Iran’s Military Capabilities Reportedly Weakened
During the same briefing, General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Iran’s ability to carry out sustained missile attacks appears to be declining compared with the opening phase of the conflict.
According to Caine, Iran initially launched a large number of missiles at the beginning of hostilities but has since reduced the frequency of such strikes.
He said the ongoing American air campaign has inflicted significant damage on Iran’s military infrastructure and command systems, limiting Tehran’s ability to coordinate large-scale retaliatory attacks.
Conflict Could Continue for Weeks
American defence officials also indicated that the war could extend for several weeks, possibly even longer, depending on how events unfold.
While earlier estimates suggested a shorter campaign, Hegseth acknowledged that the fighting could continue for four, six, or even eight weeks if necessary.
He emphasised that the United States possesses sufficient military resources, ammunition and equipment to sustain a prolonged conflict and prevail in what could become a war of attrition.
“The timeline will ultimately depend on the battlefield situation,” he said, adding that American forces intend to keep their adversary off balance through constant military pressure.
Shift in Military Strategy
US officials said the early phase of the campaign relied heavily on advanced precision weaponry to destroy key Iranian air defence systems and strategic targets.
With American and allied forces now claiming substantial control over Iranian airspace, military planners are expected to increasingly use conventional gravity bombs in follow-up strikes.
Despite the shift in tactics, officials stressed that the United States still maintains large reserves of advanced weapons ready for use if required.
Continued Threat of Iranian Retaliation
Although American officials say Iran’s capabilities have been weakened, they acknowledged that Tehran still retains the ability to launch missile and drone strikes.
Hegseth admitted that some Iranian attacks could still penetrate defensive systems despite extensive air defence measures deployed to protect American forces and regional allies.
“We cannot guarantee that every incoming attack will be intercepted,” he said, while emphasising that extensive defensive preparations had been made before launching the offensive.
American Casualties in the Region
The conflict has already resulted in American casualties. Six US soldiers were killed when an Iranian drone strike targeted an operations centre located in a civilian port in Kuwait.
The site was situated several miles away from a major American military base.
Officials warned that additional casualties could occur as the fighting continues, particularly as Iran attempts to retaliate against US military facilities across the Middle East.
Wider Regional Impact
Military planners from the United States and Israel had reportedly begun preparing the coordinated strike campaign weeks before the conflict erupted.
Since then, the war has rapidly escalated, with intense airstrikes and missile exchanges spreading across multiple countries.
The fighting has already resulted in more than a thousand deaths in Iran and dozens of casualties in Lebanon, while the conflict has disrupted global energy markets and created chaos for international travel across West Asia.
Thousands of passengers have been stranded as airports temporarily halted operations amid security concerns.
As the war enters a critical phase, analysts warn that the situation could continue to escalate unless diplomatic efforts succeed in halting the violence.
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