During a press briefing at the Pentagon, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Kane provided details regarding the recent ceasefire agreement with Iran, while secretary Hegseth characterized 'Operation Epic Fury' as a historic success, asserting that Iran's military capabilities have been degraded to the point where it will remain unable to engage in significant conflict for years to come. According to Hegseth, the Iranian leadership requested a ceasefire after realizing their defensive and offensive systems were largely neutralized.
According to officials, the military campaign lasted less than 40 days. Hegseth claimed that by utilizing only 10% of the United States' military power, the operation successfully dismantled one of the world's largest standing militaries. He further stated that Tehran proved unable to defend its strategic assets against the joint US-Israeli operations, which reportedly achieved every objective according to the planned timeline.
Destruction of Military and Naval Assets
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth detailed the extent of the damage inflicted upon Iran's military branches. He claimed that the Iranian Navy has been effectively neutralized and that the country no longer possesses a functional air defense system. Hegseth emphasized that the destruction of Iran's missile program was a primary objective of the mission. According to his statement, the strategic strikes have left Iran without the capability to launch coordinated long-range attacks or defend its airspace from future incursions.
Impact on Defense Industrial Base
A significant portion of the briefing focused on the long-term impact on Iran's military manufacturing. Hegseth stated that the US-led strikes targeted and destroyed Iran's defense industrial base. He asserted that the country is currently unable to manufacture new missiles, as the necessary infrastructure and factories have been decimated. This systematic dismantling of the industrial base was described as a core component of the mission to ensure regional security and prevent a rapid military recovery by Tehran.
Nuclear Proliferation and Strategic Terms
Regarding the strategic implications of the ceasefire, the Defense Secretary noted that the agreement ensures Tehran will never possess nuclear weapons. Hegseth claimed that the Iranian government understood that reaching a deal was preferable to the total collapse they were facing. He also cited the loss of several senior Iranian leaders during the US and Israeli strikes as a factor that left the Iranian government with no viable alternatives. According to the Pentagon, the window for negotiation was closing, forcing Tehran to accept the terms.
Military Readiness and Operational Statistics
General Dan Kane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, clarified that the current ceasefire is regarded as a 'pause' rather than a permanent cessation of military readiness. He stated that the US military remains prepared to resume operations if ordered. General Kane provided specific operational data, claiming that over 13,000 targets were struck within Iran. According to military assessments, the operation destroyed 80% of Iran's air defense systems, over 90% of its conventional naval fleet, and 90% of its weapon manufacturing facilities.