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War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday outlined what he described as a "clear" three-part mission against Iran, insisting the conflict "is not endless" and sharply rejecting comparisons to past U.S. wars in the Middle East.
Speaking during the first Pentagon briefing since U.S.-Israeli strikes began over the weekend, Hegseth said Operation Epic Fury has a narrowly defined objective: destroy Iran’s offensive missile capabilities, cripple its navy and prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
"We set the terms of this war from start to finish. Our ambitions are not utopian. They are realistic, scoped to our interests and the defense of our people and our allies," he told reporters.
Hegseth said the campaign is being carried out "surgically" but with overwhelming force, arguing the United States is steadily degrading Iran’s capabilities while strengthening its own posture in the region.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth, left, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine take questions during a press conference on U.S. military action in Iran at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on March 2, 2026. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/via Getty Images)
He said the operation would not resemble Iraq or other prolonged conflicts in the Middle East, calling it limited in scope and focused on specific military goals.
The Pentagon chief also acknowledged the risk of additional casualties, saying four Americans have been killed so far.
President Donald Trump suggested in an interview with the Daily Mail on Sunday that the campaign could last around four weeks.
TOMAHAWKS, B-2 STEALTH BOMBERS AND ATTACK DRONES POUND OVER 1,000 IRANIAN TARGETS IN 24-HOUR BLITZ
President Donald Trump monitors U.S. military operations in Iran following an Israeli strike in Tehran on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (@WhiteHouse/X)
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine told reporters the operation began Saturday under U.S. Central Command and cautioned it would take time to carry out.
"Our mission is to protect and defend ourselves and together with our regional partners, prevent Iran from the ability to project power outside of its borders and be ready for follow-on actions as appropriate," he said.
Smoke rises in Tehran following an explosion on March 2, 2026, amid ongoing U.S. and Israeli military strikes. (Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)
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Caine added that more than 100 aircraft launched in the opening phase, with strikes targeting Iranian command-and-control infrastructure, naval forces and ballistic missile sites.
He said U.S. cyber and space operations were also used to disrupt Iranian communications and air defenses, contributing to the establishment of local air superiority.
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Ashley Carnahan is a writer at Fox News Digital.
