US Defense Department Warns of Most Intensive Anti-Iran Protests Today

Smoke billows from the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs on March 6, 2026, as fresh strikes hit Iran and Lebanon, prompting Israel to vow an escalation in the rapidly spiralling Middle East war.

n

The United States has cautioned that its military campaign against Iran is on the cusp of its most intense phase, with Washington announcing a new wave of attacks that will substantially escalate the conflict.

n

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking at a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday, revealed that the latest operations under Operation Epic Fury would mark the most aggressive round of strikes since the war began, with the most fighters, bombers, and strikes.

n

Hegseth stated that the offensive aims to destroy Iran's missile stockpiles, launch systems, and defence industrial base, while also weakening the country's naval forces and preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

n

The US Defence Secretary asserted that the United States and Israel are making significant progress in the conflict, with Hegseth saying, "We are crushing the enemy in an unrelenting way; We do so on our timeline and at our choosing."

n

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine informed reporters that US-led strikes have significantly reduced Iran's ability to retaliate, with ballistic missile attacks from Iran dropping by 90 per cent since the start of the operation.

n

Caine also reported that one-way attack drone launches have declined by 83 per cent, and more than 50 Iranian naval vessels have been struck since hostilities began.

n

The US military has concentrated its attacks on key centres within Iran's military and industrial infrastructure to prevent the country from producing drones and other advanced weapons, according to Caine.

n

Despite the escalating attacks, Hegseth emphasized that the duration and objectives of the campaign would ultimately be decided by US President Donald Trump, stating, "Our will is endless, but ultimately the president gets to determine the end state of those objectives."

n

Hegseth addressed criticism about Israel's role in the conflict, saying Washington is pursuing its own strategic goals, and that "Israel has been a strong partner, but we are focused on our objectives; The president is leading and determining where we want to go."

n

Hegseth warned Iran's leadership, amid reports that the country's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, may have been injured, saying "Khamenei would be wise to listen to the president's message not to pursue nuclear weapons."

n

The defence chief added that Iranian forces are becoming increasingly weakened by the sustained air campaign, stating, "Iran stands alone, And they are badly losing."