Pete Hegseth Says US Preparing Largest Strike Package Against Iran
US signals major escalation against Iran, with Hegseth warning of largest strikes yet.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Iran will face its largest military strikes yet on March 19, 2026, as he asserted American forces now control Tehran's fate amid the escalating 2026 Iran war. The statement came during a Pentagon briefing on the conflict's 20th day, following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that began on February 28, killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top officials.
Hegseth highlighted over 7,000 targets struck, including missile factories, drone sites, and naval assets, claiming Iran's air defenses are "flattened" and ballistic attacks reduced by 90%. He described today's operations as the "largest strike package yet," targeting deeper into Iranian territory with faster intelligence cycles.
This escalation follows Israel's recent hit on the massive South Pars gas field and northern Iran sites, prompting Iranian missile retaliation against Gulf energy hubs like Qatar's Ras Laffan, where fires raged. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed further reprisals, while Gulf states like Qatar expelled Iranian attaches and weighed defensive responses. Oil prices have surged over 40% since the war's outset, disrupting global markets.
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Hegseth's rhetoric aligns with President Trump's aggressive posture, emphasizing regime change goals after strikes on key sites like Kharg Island's military hubs spared oil facilities "for decency." U.S. Central Command reports sinking over 120 Iranian vessels, crippling maritime threats in the Strait of Hormuz. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine noted expanded operations dismantling Iran's defense industrial base.
The war has seen over 500 Iranian ballistic missiles and 2,000 drones launched early on, now dwindling due to depleted stocks. Recent assassinations, including Basij chief Gholamreza Soleimani, fueled Iran's barrages killing Israeli civilians, alongside Israel's Lebanon incursion. Diplomatic calls for de-escalation grow, but Tehran warns allies' energy sites remain at risk.
As strikes intensify, the U.S. frames its dominance as decisive, with Hegseth signaling no pause until Iran's capabilities collapse. Regional powers face a bind, balancing retaliation urges against broader fallout, while the conflict risks drawing in more actors.
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