US Says Operation ‘Epic Fury’ Hits Over 2,000 Iranian Targets, Weakens Missile and Naval Capabilities

Washington, March 2026 : The United States has claimed significant military gains in its ongoing campaign against Iran, stating that more than 2,000 strategic targets have been struck and key elements of Tehran’s missile and naval capabilities have been severely weakened. The White House defended the decision by Donald Trump to launch Operation Epic Fury, describing the mission as a necessary step to neutralize security threats posed by the Iranian regime.

Addressing reporters in Washington on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the operation, which began over the weekend, is focused on dismantling Iran’s missile infrastructure, crippling its naval capabilities, and preventing the country from developing nuclear weapons. According to the administration, the campaign is part of a broader effort to ensure the security of American forces and allies in the Middle East.

Leavitt said that under President Trump’s leadership, the United States military had conducted extensive strikes across multiple Iranian military sites. “More than 2,000 targets have been hit, including hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers and drones,” she told reporters. She added that the strikes have significantly reduced Iran’s ability to threaten American forces or destabilize the region.

The White House maintained that the operation had already achieved several key strategic objectives. According to Leavitt, Iranian ballistic missile launches have dropped dramatically since the start of the campaign. “Missile launches are down by about 86 percent compared to the levels seen on the first day of the conflict,” she said, suggesting that the strikes had disrupted Iran’s offensive capabilities.

In addition to missile facilities, US forces have also targeted Iran’s naval assets. The press secretary said that more than 20 Iranian naval vessels had been destroyed during the campaign, including what she described as the country’s top submarine. The submarine was reportedly destroyed using a torpedo strike, marking the first time such a weapon had been used in combat by the United States since World War II.

Leavitt also claimed that Iranian naval operations had effectively come to a halt in several strategic waterways. She said there were currently no Iranian naval vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, or the Gulf of Oman. The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the world’s most important energy transit routes, with nearly one-fifth of global oil shipments passing through the narrow corridor linking the Persian Gulf to international waters.

The White House outlined four central objectives guiding Operation Epic Fury: destroying Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure, dismantling its naval fleet, weakening its network of regional proxy groups, and preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. Officials say the operation is designed to significantly degrade Iran’s military capacity and reduce threats to global security.

Leavitt also claimed that the campaign had targeted key figures within the Iranian leadership structure. According to the administration, dozens of senior leaders associated with the Iranian regime had been killed during the strikes. She said the elimination of these figures was aimed at weakening Iran’s command structure and reducing its ability to coordinate military or proxy operations.

Despite highlighting the campaign’s successes, the administration acknowledged that the conflict has resulted in American casualties. Six US service members have been killed during the operation. Leavitt said the government was mourning their loss and described them as heroes who had made the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country. President Trump is expected to attend the dignified transfer ceremony honoring the fallen troops.

Meanwhile, the United States government is continuing efforts to evacuate American citizens from the Middle East as tensions remain high in the region. The White House said that since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury, more than 17,500 Americans have safely returned home. Officials reported that over 8,500 US citizens had been evacuated to the United States in the past 24 hours alone.

When asked whether the operation aimed to bring about regime change in Iran, Leavitt avoided confirming such a goal. She reiterated that the official objectives of the campaign were focused on neutralizing missile threats, destroying naval capabilities, and preventing nuclear proliferation.

However, she added that the United States continues to support the aspirations of the Iranian people for freedom and stability. While declining to elaborate further on political objectives, the administration indicated that it would continue to monitor developments closely as the military campaign progresses.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)