US Defence Secretary: Iranian Military Operations Are Just the Beginning

Istanbul (ANTARA) – United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that military operations against Iran remain far from complete and warned that the campaign is only just beginning, as the US and Israel intend to continue attacks through the second week.

In an interview broadcast on Sunday (8 March) on CBS News’ 60 Minutes, Hegseth said Iran’s capacity to project power across the region continues to deteriorate.

“Iran’s strength is diminishing and will become increasingly thin. Again, what I want to convey to your viewers is this is only the beginning,” Hegseth said.

According to the Pentagon, more than 50,000 US military personnel are involved in “Operation Epic Fury”, with US forces having struck approximately 3,000 targets in Iran through Friday (6 March).

“We are very much on schedule,” he stated.

He also added that the US and Israel possess “extraordinary” military capabilities compared to Iran.

“If we (the US) combine our air force with the Israel Defence Force’s air force, then they are the two strongest air forces in the world,” he said.

Hegseth reiterated President Donald Trump’s demand that Iran “surrender unconditionally”, stating that the objective is to render Iranian forces incapable of continuing combat operations.

“That means we are fighting to win. That means we set the terms. We will know when they are no longer capable of fighting,” he said.

According to the US Department of Defence, known as the Pentagon, the US is prepared to continue military operations as long as necessary to achieve its objectives. Hegseth also warned that there will be casualties as the war continues.

“The President (Trump) is correct when he says there will be casualties – there will be more casualties,” he said.

According to Hegseth, these losses will strengthen US resolve and conviction that this is a battle that will be fought to the end.

Source: Anadolu