Washington, United States. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States’ objectives in the war against Iran have not changed since strikes began on February 28. He said the campaign remains focused on previously stated goals.
Objectives and scope of strikes
Hegseth told reporters the objectives, which he said were given by President Donald Trump, “remain exactly what they were on day one.” He said U.S. objectives were to destroy Iran’s missile launchers, its defense industrial base and navy, and to never allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Hegseth said the United States has carried out strikes against 7,000 targets inside Iran so far, and hit more than 40 Iranian mine-laying vessels and 11 submarines. He also criticized the press during his opening statement.
Potential reinforcements and Strait of Hormuz options
Reuters reported on Wednesday that the Trump administration is considering deploying thousands of U.S. troops to reinforce its operation in the Middle East, as the U.S. military prepares for possible next steps in its campaign against Iran.
Sources said options include securing safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a mission that would be accomplished primarily through air and naval forces. Sources also told Reuters that securing the strait could mean deploying U.S. troops to Iran’s shoreline.
Military assessment
In the same briefing, General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the U.S. military remained on track to achieve its objectives and that the United States was striking deeper into Iranian territory every day.
Caine acknowledged that Iran still retained some missile capabilities, saying, “They came into this fight with a lot of weapons.”
What do you think the United States’ next steps should be in its campaign against Iran?