US Steps Up Strikes on Iran, Says Objective Is to Weaken Tehran’s Military

March 2026 : The United States has, for the first time since launching military operations against Iran on February 28, clearly outlined the strategic objective behind the campaign. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday that Washington’s goal is to dismantle Iran’s military capabilities and significantly weaken its ability to carry out attacks.

Speaking to reporters, Hegseth said the military campaign led by the United States and its allies has already drastically reduced Iran’s offensive capabilities. According to him, Iran’s missile launches have declined sharply since the start of the conflict, while the use of one-way attack drones by Tehran has also dropped significantly.

“Since the conflict began, missile launches by Iran have decreased by about 90 percent, and the use of unilateral attack drones has fallen by nearly 95 percent,” Hegseth said.

Thousands of Targets Struck

Since the start of hostilities, American and Israeli forces have carried out extensive air and missile strikes across Iran. According to U.S. officials, more than 15,000 targets inside the country have been hit during the campaign.

Addressing a press briefing at the Pentagon, Hegseth highlighted the scale and intensity of the operations.

“That is well over 1,000 strikes per day,” he said. “No other group of countries in the world is capable of carrying out operations of this scale.”

The campaign has targeted a wide range of military facilities, including missile launch sites, drone bases, weapons storage depots and naval infrastructure.

Investigation Into School Bombing

During the briefing, Hegseth was also asked about reports of a bombing that struck a school in Iran, killing more than 160 people, most of them students. The incident has drawn international concern and calls for accountability.

Hegseth said the U.S. military has launched a formal investigation into the incident to determine what happened.

“We will not take action based solely on reporting, and we will not be pressured into describing what occurred in a particular situation,” he said. “The truth matters most.”

According to Hegseth, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has appointed an investigating officer who will conduct a command-level inquiry into the event.

He added that the investigation would take as long as necessary to establish the facts and address all issues related to the incident.

Focus on Strait of Hormuz Security

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine said the United States is prioritising efforts to prevent Iran from laying naval mines in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

The strait is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, through which a large portion of global oil shipments normally passes. However, the ongoing conflict has significantly disrupted trade through the narrow waterway.

Caine said that although some ships are still moving through the strait, the United States is focusing on neutralising Iranian capabilities that could threaten the route.

“We have prioritised targeting Iran’s mine-laying operations, the vessels used for deploying mines, naval bases and storage depots,” he said.

He added that U.S. forces are also striking missile systems capable of targeting shipping in the area.

“CENTCOM continues to conduct strikes against these threats,” Caine said.

High Risks for Commercial Shipping

Despite the ongoing military operations aimed at neutralising threats, the United States has not yet deployed naval escorts to protect commercial shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Officials say the threat level in the area remains extremely high due to the risk of mines, missile strikes and drone attacks.

The disruption to shipping through the strait has already affected global oil trade, contributing to volatility in energy markets and raising concerns about supply disruptions worldwide.

As the conflict continues, U.S. officials say their immediate priority remains weakening Iran’s military infrastructure and preventing further threats to international shipping routes in the region.

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