PENTAGON, WASHINGTON — On Day 11 of Operation Epic Fury, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Tuesday, March 10, 2026, would mark the most devastating phase of the aerial campaign against Iran. Speaking from the Pentagon, Hegseth confirmed that the U.S. is deploying its largest contingent of fighter jets and bombers yet to “decisively defeat” the Iranian regime’s military infrastructure.
The surge in strikes comes as Israel launched a fresh wave of attacks on Tehran this afternoon, and President Donald Trump warned of an “unprecedented” response if the flow of global energy is disrupted.
1. “The Most Fighters, The Most Bombers”
Hegseth described today’s operations as a significant escalation in both scale and intelligence precision.
- The Scale: “Today will be yet again our most intense day of strikes inside Iran—the most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes,” Hegseth told reporters.
- The Objectives: The U.S. and its partners remain focused on three “non-negotiable” goals:
- Dismantling Missile Stockpiles: Destroying Iran’s ballistic missile and drone production facilities.
- Neutralizing the Navy: Eliminating Iran’s ability to engage in mine-laying or naval warfare.
- Nuclear Denial: Ensuring Iran cannot leverage the conflict to achieve nuclear breakout.
- Progress Report: Hegseth claimed that Iranian missile launches have hit their lowest point in the war over the last 24 hours, asserting that the regime is “standing alone and badly losing.”
2. The Battle for the Strait of Hormuz
The strategic focus has shifted heavily to the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has threatened to halt all oil shipping.
- The “20 Times Harder” Warning: President Trump took to Truth Social to warn that if Tehran blocks the waterway, the U.S. will strike back “20 times harder” than any previous engagement. He described the targets as “easily destroyable” and warned that Iran might never recover as a sovereign state.
- Hunting Mine-Layers: General Dan Caine confirmed that U.S. forces are actively “hunting and striking” mine-laying vessels and storage facilities to keep the shipping lanes open.
- Global Impact: With oil prices fluctuating near $90–$100, the U.S. Treasury has reportedly granted temporary waivers to some countries, including India, to maintain market stability during the blockade.
3. Regional Escalation: Israel and Qatar
The conflict continues to ripple across West Asia:
- Tehran Under Fire: More than 20 heavy explosions were reported in the Iranian capital today as Israeli forces targeted fuel depots and military sites. Social media videos showed an “apocalyptic” blue flash over the city of Karaj following an airstrike.
- Interceptions in Doha: Qatar’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting a missile over Doha on Tuesday, with residents reporting loud blasts across the city.
- Humanitarian Concerns: Iran’s UN ambassador has accused the U.S. and Israel of “environmental crimes,” claiming that strikes on oil infrastructure have caused severe toxic air pollution and acidic rainfall in Tehran.
| Metric | Status | Key Update |
| US Air Intensity | Maximum Surge | Highest number of B-2 and B-21 sorties to date. |
| Iranian Navy | Critically Degraded | Over 50 naval vessels destroyed since Feb 28. |
| Missile Defense | 90% Effectiveness | Iranian launches down 90% since start of war. |
| US Casualties | 7 Military Deaths | Confirmed by Pentagon; includes one soldier in Saudi Arabia. |
| Oil Markets | Volatile | Brent Crude swinging between $85 and $105. |