Washington, March 5 (NationPress) Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is set to visit the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters located in Tampa, Florida on Thursday (local time) to gain insights into the ongoing military operations against Iran, as confirmed by the Pentagon.

During his visit, Hegseth will meet with Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of CENTCOM, at MacDill Air Force Base, as U.S. forces continue to execute Operation Epic Fury, a large-scale initiative launched last week aimed at targeting Iran’s military and security structures.

The Department of War issued a statement saying, “On Thursday, March 5, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will be at the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.”

“During this visit, Secretary Hegseth will engage with Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM’s commander, to receive updates on Operation Epic Fury,” the statement elaborated.

The operation, which commenced on February 28, involves a strategic focus on dismantling the Iranian regime’s security framework and neutralizing sites deemed immediate threats.

The Pentagon noted, “U.S. and allied forces initiated Operation Epic Fury on February 28 to dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritizing sites that pose an imminent threat.”

In the initial stages of the operation, extensive strikes were carried out against Iranian military assets.

The Pentagon detailed, “The first four days of this large-scale operation included over 2,000 strikes employing more than 2,000 precision munitions launched from air, land, and sea.”

Officials confirmed that these strikes specifically targeted Iran’s missile capabilities and naval assets.

“U.S. forces have significantly degraded the Iranian regime’s ballistic missile capabilities and are sinking their naval vessels,” the statement emphasized.

Hegseth’s trip to CENTCOM occurs as the Pentagon enhances military coordination among various regional commands. The secretary will also be in Florida to lead a hemispheric security meeting aimed at addressing drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations.

On the same day, Hegseth plans to visit Doral, Florida to host the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference at the headquarters of U.S. Southern Command.

The Pentagon stated, “Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will travel to Doral, Florida tomorrow to lead the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference at the U.S. Southern Command Headquarters.”

This conference aims to unite defense and security leaders from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America in their fight against organized crime linked to drug trafficking.

“Narco-terrorism poses a collective threat to all nations in the Western Hemisphere,” the statement highlighted.

“For decades, narco-terrorists and cartel criminals have trafficked fentanyl and other dangerous substances across borders, resulting in hundreds of thousands of American fatalities each year.”

The Pentagon characterized the cartels as an escalating security threat in the region.

“This organized crime network poses an extraordinary risk to the security and prosperity of the Western Hemisphere,” they noted.

The administration has taken steps to classify these networks as terrorist organizations.

“On his first day in office, President Trump signed an Executive Order designating narco-traffickers and cartels as Designated Terrorist Organizations (DTOs),” the Pentagon added.

Officials assert that this designation enables the U.S. military to broaden its role in combating these networks.

“This vital distinction empowers the U.S. military to better safeguard our nation and its extended perimeter,” they affirmed.

The Pentagon stated that the conference aims to strengthen security cooperation across the region.

“Under the guidance of President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, the Department is collaborating with partners across the Western Hemisphere to detect, disrupt, and eliminate designated terrorist organizations fueling violence and corruption.”

“Dismantling the narco-terrorist networks affecting our Hemisphere is achievable only through collaboration.”

The U.S. Central Command oversees American military operations throughout the Middle East and parts of South and Central Asia, playing a crucial role in U.S. operations related to Iran, regional security, and critical maritime routes impacting global energy supplies.

U.S. Southern Command, based in Florida, manages military cooperation and security operations across Latin America and the Caribbean, which includes counter-narcotics initiatives and regional defense partnerships.