US to launch ‘largest strike package’ yet on Thursday: Defense chief

WASHINGTON

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that his country would launch "the largest strike package yet" on Iran on Thursday, as part of an ongoing operation which began last month.

"Today, we've struck over 7,000 targets across Iran and its military infrastructure ... and again, today will be the largest strike package yet —just like yesterday was... we are hunting, striking, delivering death and destruction from above," Hegseth told a news conference alongside Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Hegseth said the US' objective remained "unchanged" which is to destroy missiles, launchers and Iran's defense industrial base, and their navy.

He also declined to set a "definitive timeframe" on the end of the operation against Iran, saying "but we're very much on plan."

The US and Israel have continued a joint offensive on Iran since Feb. 28, killing so far more than 1,200 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.

US attacks 'deeper' into Iranian territory

Hegseth said the US hit hundreds of Iranian defense industrial base targets "directly."

"Their ability to manufacture ballistic missiles has probably taken the hardest hit of all. Ballistic missile attacks against our forces? Down 90% since the start of this conflict. Same with one-way attack UAVs—think kamikaze drones—down 90% as well," he added.

Caine, for his part, gave a recent update on the Operation Epic Fury, and said each day, the US attacks "deeper" into Iranian territory.

"The US military dropped 5,000-pound penetrator weapons into underground storage facilities storing coastal defense cruise missiles. We continue to hunt and kill mine storage facilities and naval ammunition depots and afloat assets, including more than 120 vessels and 44 minelayers," he said.

Caine claimed that the US is destroying Iran's ability to project power outside of its borders.

Iran still retains some missile capabilities, he added.

Asked about more than $200 billion in Pentagon budget request for Iran war, Hegseth said. "As far as $200 billion. I think that number could move. Obviously, it takes money to kill bad guys. So, we're going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure that we're properly funded for what's been done, for what we may have to do in the future, ensure that our ammunition is – everything's refilled, and not just refilled, but above and beyond."