US Claims ‘Historic Victory’ Over Iran as Operation Epic Fury Reshapes Military Balance

Washington, April 2026 : The United States has declared a decisive military success against Iran, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth describing the outcome of Operation Epic Fury as a “historic and overwhelming victory.”

Addressing the media alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, Hegseth said the campaign had significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities and forced it to accept a ceasefire under sustained pressure.

“Iran begged for this ceasefire… a big day for world peace,” Hegseth said, asserting that the operation had rendered Iran’s military “combat ineffective for years to come.”

According to Pentagon figures, US forces carried out more than 10,000 missions, striking over 13,000 targets, including 4,000 dynamic battlefield objectives. The operation reportedly destroyed around 80 percent of Iran’s air defence systems and more than 90 percent of its naval fleet.

“Iran’s Navy is at the bottom of the sea… Iran’s Air Force has been wiped out,” Hegseth claimed, highlighting the scale of the assault.

General Caine added that the strikes targeted critical infrastructure, including over 450 ballistic missile storage facilities, 801 drone depots, and nearly 90 percent of Iran’s weapons production capacity. He also noted that about 80 percent of Iran’s nuclear industrial base had been hit.

“The campaign struck at the heart of Iran’s ability to project power,” Caine said.

Hegseth further stated that Iran’s command and control systems had been severely disrupted, limiting its ability to coordinate military responses. He warned that any attempt by Tehran to escalate the situation further would be “very, very unwise.”

The ceasefire agreement includes provisions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring the flow of global energy supplies. Hegseth confirmed that US forces would remain stationed in the region to monitor compliance and maintain stability.

“We’re not going anywhere… we’ll stay ready and vigilant,” he said.

Reiterating Washington’s stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Hegseth said it remains “non-negotiable” that Iran must not acquire nuclear capabilities. He added that the US continues to monitor remaining nuclear materials and is prepared to act if necessary.

The operation also came at a cost, with the Pentagon confirming the deaths of 13 US service members during the campaign. Despite the losses, officials described the mission as one of the most extensive and strategically significant US military operations in recent decades.

Hegseth concluded by crediting the outcome to a combination of military strength and strategic restraint. “We had the targets ready… but the President chose restraint when Iran agreed to terms,” he said, portraying the ceasefire as both a military and diplomatic success.

As the situation evolves, Operation Epic Fury is likely to have lasting implications for regional security dynamics and the balance of power in West Asia.

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