US readies 'largest strike package' on Iran, says Hegseth; vows 'war will end on our terms'

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday signalled a major escalation in Washington’s military campaign against Iran, declaring that “today again will be [the] largest strike package on Iran,” even as he asserted that American war objectives remain unchanged and “on target and on plan.”

Addressing reporters, Hegseth said that the United States would press ahead until its goals are fully met, stating bluntly: “We will finish this,” and insisting, “War will end on our terms, Iran cannot have nuclear weapons.”

"Our objectives, given directly from our America-first president, remain exactly what they ⁠were on ‌day one," he added.


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He reiterated that the objectives set at the start of the conflict on February 28 continue to guide U.S. operations. “Our objectives in Iran are on target and on plan,” Hegseth said, adding, “Objectives in Iran haven’t changed since day 1.”

According to the Pentagon chief, those objectives include dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities and broader military infrastructure. He said Washington aims to “destroy Iran’s missile launchers, its defense industrial base and navy,” while ensuring Tehran is never able “to get a nuclear weapon.”

In one of the most striking claims of the briefing, Hegseth said that Iran’s naval strength has been effectively neutralised. Saying that Iran's “surface fleet is no longer a factor,” he added that “their submarines — they once had 11 — are gone.”

The crafts Hegseth referenced are “midget” submarines designed to work in shallow waters in the Persian Gulf and its narrow mouth, the Strait of Hormuz. The small vessels are designed to evade sonar as they lay mines and fire torpedoes.

Also read: The US says it’s winning in Iran. Time to act like it

He also hinted at sustained pressure on Iran’s military leadership, remarking, “Senior leader for IRGC is a temp job,” suggesting that top commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are being systematically targeted.

Earlier, Hegseth opened the Pentagon briefing with remarks referencing a dignified transfer, saying he had spoken to the families of U.S. service members killed in the Iran war.

Hegseth said he told families of service members killed in the Iran war that US forces “will finish this.”

Hegseth said they told him “through tears, through hugs, through strength and through unbreakable resolve” that they wanted the US military to “finish this. Honour their sacrifice. Do not waver. Do not stop until the job is done.”

“My response, along with that of the president, was simple: Of course we will finish this. We will honour their sacrifice,” Hegseth said. “Their sacrifice only steels our commitment.”

The comments come amid intensifying hostilities between the United States and Iran, with Washington ramping up strikes across multiple domains. Hegseth’s emphasis on launching the “largest strike package” again signals a continuation, and possible expansion, of high-intensity operations as the conflict enters a critical phase.