US says Iran missile attacks decreasing; strikes expand inland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Iran’s missile strikes have decreased since the start of military operations on Saturday, according to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at a Pentagon briefing. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, emphasized that the United States was making progress in its campaign against Iranian forces.

Hegseth indicated that this decline in missiles signifies a diminished Iranian military capability and an increased freedom for US forces as they begin to expand strikes deeper into Iran’s territory. The Pentagon chief underscored that these moves are part of broader strategy aimed at outlasting the conflict, even as he acknowledged six US service members killed.

Hegseth further detailed a significant victory—the sinking of an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka by an American submarine. This was the first naval engagement in which Iran’s forces were defeated by torpedo since World War II. The US Defense Secretary praised this moment, describing it as a “quiet death,” alluding to its unanticipated and decisive nature.

The Pentagon briefing also revealed that the United States has sunk an Iranian warship. This event, while reported by Reuters initially, underscores a new phase in the conflict where US forces are not only taking but now striking at Iran’s heartland.

Hegseth’s remarks marked a shift from the initial phases of the war, which had seen sporadic strikes and missile firings. The current expansion represents a concerted effort to disrupt Iranian supply lines and strategic assets within Iran itself. This new phase appears aimed at straining Iran’s ability to mount effective military operations against the United States.

While US forces assert they are winning this conflict, Hegseth’s comments also acknowledged the mounting casualties on both sides, including those of six American soldiers who have died in combat thus far. The Pentagon chief’s acknowledgment serves as a stark reminder of the human toll and challenges ahead.

This development represents a significant escalation from earlier skirmishes and is expected to further complicate negotiations or any de-escalation efforts. With US forces now engaging Iran’s inland assets, the stage appears set for an extended and potentially more intense phase in this conflict.