Washington, March 6 (NationPress) The United States has indicated that its military actions against Iran are set to escalate in the next stage of Operation Epic Fury, with American and Israeli forces gearing up to amplify their strikes aimed at dismantling Tehran's military and missile frameworks.

During a briefing at the US Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth noted that the operation has already caused significant harm to Iran's military capabilities.

He commended CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper and the more than 50,000 American service members engaged in the operation.

“In just a few days of Operation Epic Fury, you and your team have executed nothing short of devastating precision strikes, effectively neutralizing a large portion of Iran's navy, crippling its combat effectiveness, and neutralizing missile sites and launchers, thereby establishing complete dominance over the air and waters we operate in,” Hegseth stated.

“We are prepared for this fight, and our objective is victory,” Hegseth conveyed to reporters at the CENTCOM headquarters.

Admiral Cooper remarked that the campaign has now entered its sixth day, consistently degrading Iran's military capacity.

“We are beginning our sixth day of a pivotal mission to eliminate Iran's ability to pose a threat to Americans,” he said.

According to Cooper, US air power has executed extensive strikes deep within Iranian territory.

“In the last 72 hours, America's bomber fleet has targeted nearly 200 sites deep inside Iran, including areas around Tehran,” he revealed.

He added that US stealth bombers have specifically targeted fortified missile installations.

“In the last hour alone, US B-2 bombers dropped dozens of 2,000-pound penetrator bombs aimed at deeply buried ballistic missile launchers.”

US forces have also targeted Iranian military infrastructure connected to space and missile operations.

“Importantly, we have struck Iran's version of Space Command, which diminishes their capability to threaten Americans,” Cooper stated.

US officials reported that the strikes have significantly curtailed Iranian missile and drone activities.

“Ballistic missile assaults have plummeted by 90 percent since the onset. Drone operations have decreased by 83 percent since day one,” Cooper added.

Naval operations have also escalated during the campaign.

“You may have heard the President mention… that we have sunk or destroyed 24 vessels. That was accurate at that time — we have now surpassed 30 vessels,” Cooper noted.

“In just the last few hours, we targeted an Iranian drone carrier ship, comparable in size to a World War II aircraft carrier. As we speak, it is ablaze.”

The operation is now pivoting towards dismantling Iran's missile production capabilities.

“The President has tasked us with leveling Iran's ballistic missile industrial base. We are not only striking what they possess, but we are also destroying their capacity to rebuild,” Cooper explained.

Hegseth emphasized that the United States has ample resources to sustain the campaign and reinforce its military presence in the area.

“Our stockpiles of offensive and defensive weapons enable us to maintain this campaign for as long as necessary,” he stated.

He also mentioned that American and Israeli forces will continue to collaborate to heighten pressure on Iran.

“We are committed to winning through the combined combat power of the US and Israel,” Cooper affirmed.

Hegseth dismissed online rumors claiming that an American fighter jet had been downed.

“As CENTCOM clarified, reports of an F-15 being shot down are untrue,” he said.

“These are fabrications; such falsehoods will persist; CENTCOM will continue to refute them.”

The Defence Secretary stated that the United States will dictate the pace and duration of the operation.

“Our capabilities are overwhelming and still expanding… which means our timeline is solely ours to control,” Hegseth said.

The Pentagon indicated that the operation has garnered increasing support from nations across the region.

“This marks the 12th country that Iran has targeted… and those 12 countries are not pleased, and I look forward to collaborating with all partners willing to join us,” Cooper commented.

The United States initiated Operation Epic Fury on February 28, in response to rising tensions with Iran and attacks on American forces and allies in the area. The conflict has swiftly escalated into a wider military confrontation involving US and allied forces across the Middle East.

Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missile advancement have long raised international alarm. Washington has consistently warned that it will not permit Tehran to achieve nuclear weapons capability, whereas Iran asserts that its nuclear activities are intended for civilian applications.