Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned that the U.S. strikes against Iran are only just beginning, as the military continues operations under ‘Operation Epic Fury’ with more than 50,000 personnel involved. The U.S. military has already struck 3,000 targets inside Iran, according to Pentagon officials, as the conflict enters its second week.

Escalation and Military Objectives

During an interview with CBS News’ Major Garrett, Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. is not close to concluding the campaign against Iran. He rejected the notion that the mission is nearly complete, as suggested by the House Speaker, stating, ‘We’re not flying a mission accomplished banner like George W. Bush on an aircraft carrier.’

Hegseth highlighted the overwhelming military capabilities of the U.S. and Israel, calling them ‘the two most powerful air forces in the world.’ He noted that the use of gravity bombs, including 500-pound, 1,000-pound, and 2,000-pound munitions, has only just begun. ‘We haven’t even really begun to start that effort of the campaign,’ he said, adding that this phase will showcase the full extent of the objectives.

When asked about what ‘unconditional surrender’ from Iran would look like, Hegseth said it would involve Iran becoming ‘combat-ineffective’ and having ‘no choice but to surrender.’ He noted that the terms of surrender would be set by President Donald Trump, who he said prioritizes American interests above all else.

Origins of the Conflict

The U.S. military’s involvement in Iran has been attributed, in part, to intelligence provided by Israel. On February 23, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly shared information about the whereabouts of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his inner circle. The U.S. confirmed the information through the CIA, which some analysts say was the trigger for the current conflict.

Despite some criticism that the U.S. was drawn into the conflict by Israel, Hegseth defended the administration’s approach. ‘I’m in the room every day and I see how President Trump operates,’ he said. ‘It’s America, Americans, and American interests that come first.’

Regarding the timeline of the conflict, Hegseth dismissed concerns that the war was launched on an opportunity rather than an imminent threat. ‘They’ve been killing us for 48 years,’ he said, referring to Iran’s ongoing hostility and nuclear ambitions. He noted that despite the U.S. claim to have destroyed Iran’s nuclear infrastructure in June, international monitors estimate Iran still possesses more than 970 pounds of nearly bomb-grade uranium.

Hegseth was asked whether the U.S. could achieve its objectives without locating and extracting the highly enriched uranium. He responded that there are ‘a lot of different ways’ to target Iran’s nuclear ambitions, including using conventional missile capabilities to counter their nuclear blackmail.

Strategic Uncertainties and Intelligence Concerns

When questioned about the possibility of U.S. forces operating inside Iran, Hegseth refused to confirm or deny the presence of such forces. ‘I wouldn’t tell you that if we did,’ he said. However, he emphasized that the U.S. reserves the right to take any necessary action, whether it involves ‘boots on the ground’ or not.

CBS News reported that three sources indicated Russia is providing intelligence to Iran about U.S. positions and movements. Hegseth addressed the concern, stating, ‘We’re tracking everything. Our commanders are aware of everything.’ He added that President Trump has a ‘knack at knowing how to mitigate those risks.’

Hegseth’s comments suggest that the U.S. is preparing for a protracted engagement with Iran, one that may involve multiple phases and strategic adjustments. ‘We’re willing to go as far as we need to in order to be successful,’ he said, emphasizing that the administration would not disclose operational details to the enemy or the press.

The conflict has significant implications for regional stability, with the potential to involve other global powers and further escalate tensions in the Middle East. As the military continues its operations, the international community is closely watching the developments, with many analysts predicting that the situation could evolve into a longer-term conflict.