Washington, March 10 (NationPress) The United States reported on Tuesday that the abilities of Iran's missile and drone systems have been considerably diminished during the initial 10 days of 'Operation Epic Fury', with a drastic decline in ballistic missile attacks as American airstrikes escalate.

During a briefing at the Pentagon, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine noted that the operation is effectively dismantling Iran’s capacity to launch strikes against US forces and allies in the area.

“The incidence of ballistic missile attacks has fallen by 90 percent since the conflict began,” Caine stated. “Moreover, the use of one-way attack drones has dropped by 83 percent, underscoring the effectiveness of our air defense systems.”

Caine highlighted that US and allied forces have successfully targeted thousands of sites since the operation commenced.

“To date, we have engaged more than 5,000 targets,” he said, mentioning that US Strategic Command bombers had recently deployed “numerous 2,000-pound GPS-guided munitions on deeply entrenched missile launchers located along the southern front.”

The Pentagon outlined that the operation is centered on three main objectives: reducing Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, targeting its naval forces, and striking deeper into its military-industrial infrastructure.

Caine explained that the first objective aims to thwart potential attacks on American troops and allies.

“This involves targeting launch sites, command and control centers, and stockpiles before they can pose a threat to our personnel and facilities,” he elaborated.

The second aim is to diminish Iran’s naval presence in the Gulf.

“In the first ten days of the conflict, we have engaged over 50 Iranian naval vessels using a mix of artillery, fighter jets, bombers, and sea-launched missiles,” Caine noted.

He further reported the sinking of an Iranian drone carrier and ongoing operations against vessels involved in mine-laying activities.

The final goal targets Iran’s wider military and industrial ecosystem.

“We have initiated strikes on Iran’s military and industrial facilities, focusing on critical nodes to disrupt operations,” Caine stated.

Hegseth remarked that the campaign is being conducted with overwhelming force.

“We are devastating the enemy with a powerful show of technical skill and military might,” he affirmed. “We will not cease until the enemy is thoroughly and decisively defeated.”

The Defense Secretary indicated that the subsequent phase of the operation would unleash an even more intense series of attacks.

“Today will mark yet another peak day of strikes within Iran, featuring our most fighters, bombers, and overall strike efforts,” Hegseth stated.

He also emphasized that the campaign would remain limited in its scope.

“This is not an indefinite engagement. We will not permit mission creep,” he assured. “The President has outlined a very specific set of objectives.”

Hegseth reiterated that the overarching goal is to prevent Iran from attaining nuclear capabilities and to neutralize its capacity to threaten US forces.

“Our three objectives are to dismantle their missile inventories, incapacitate their Navy, and ensure that Iran can never develop nuclear weapons,” he concluded.