Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Thursday that the United States has conducted its largest strike campaign against Iran to date, targeting over 7,000 locations across the country and its military installations. The strikes, which began with joint U.S. and Israeli attacks on Tehran on February 28, have been described by Hegseth as methodical, ruthless, and unmatched in scale by any other military force.

Impact on Iran’s Military Capabilities

According to Hegseth, the U.S. campaign has significantly crippled Iran’s ability to manufacture ballistic missiles and one-way attack drones. He stated that the number of ballistic missiles available to Iran has dropped by 90% since the conflict began. This reduction is attributed to precision strikes on manufacturing facilities, supply chains, and research centers.

“Iran has funneled decades of state resources not to their people but into missiles and drones and proxies and buried facilities, but we are hunting them down, methodically, ruthlessly and overwhelmingly like no other military in the world can do,” Hegseth said during a Pentagon briefing.

The strikes have also targeted Iran’s underground military infrastructure, including tunnels, command centers, and storage facilities. These facilities have been a key part of Iran’s defense strategy, allowing the country to maintain a covert military presence and retaliate against perceived threats. The U.S. has used advanced surveillance and intelligence-gathering technologies to locate and destroy these hidden assets.

Strategic Implications and Regional Tensions

The scale of the U.S. military campaign has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation in the Middle East. Iran’s military and political leadership have already warned that the strikes could lead to increased retaliatory actions, including attacks on U.S. interests in the region and possibly even Israel.

“The U.S. is not just striking military targets; it’s sending a clear message to Iran and its allies that the country’s military capabilities are being dismantled,” said a military analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The analyst noted that the U.S. has been working closely with Israel, which has been a key ally in the campaign against Iran’s military infrastructure.

Additionally, the U.S. has deployed 12 F-22 Raptor fighter jets to an airbase in southern Israel, a move that has been interpreted as a show of force and support for Israel’s military operations. The deployment comes amid heightened tensions in the region and as Israel continues to carry out its own strikes against Iranian-backed militias in Syria and Lebanon.

What’s Next for the Conflict?

With the U.S. having already conducted over 7,000 strikes, the question remains whether the campaign will continue or if a new phase of the conflict is approaching. Analysts suggest that the U.S. is likely to maintain pressure on Iran’s military infrastructure, aiming to degrade its ability to launch retaliatory attacks.

“The U.S. has made it clear that the fight is not over. They are committed to dismantling Iran’s military capabilities, even if it takes time,” said a defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The official added that the U.S. is also monitoring Iran’s response closely and is prepared to take further action if necessary.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has also announced new visa restrictions, requiring $19,200 bonds for visa applicants from 12 additional countries. This move is part of a broader effort to tighten security measures and prevent potential threats to national security. The decision comes as the administration continues to assess the impact of the conflict on global stability and U.S. foreign policy.

The ongoing strikes have also had a significant economic impact on Iran. The country’s military-industrial complex has been heavily damaged, leading to a decline in its ability to produce and export military equipment. This has affected not only Iran’s domestic economy but also its influence in the region, where it has long relied on military exports to fund its foreign policy.

“Iran’s military is not as strong as it used to be. The U.S. has done what it set out to do — weaken Iran’s ability to project power,” said a former U.S. military official who has studied the conflict closely. The official added that while the U.S. has achieved its immediate goals, the long-term effects of the campaign remain to be seen.

The next major developments in the conflict will likely be Iran’s response to the U.S. strikes and the potential for further escalation. If Iran chooses to retaliate, it could lead to a broader regional conflict involving other countries in the Middle East. However, if Iran decides to de-escalate, the U.S. may consider a temporary pause in its military operations.

As the situation continues to unfold, the world is watching closely to see how the U.S. and Iran will handle the next phase of their conflict. The stakes are high, and the outcome could have far-reaching consequences for global security and stability.