The United States stated that it will intensify its military operations against Iran, and stressed that attacks will continue with increasing frequency as part of a campaign aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities and defense industries.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that the current military operations will witness, today, Thursday, “the largest number of strikes on Iran since the start of the war,” and indicated that Washington is working to destroy the entire Iranian defense industry system.

He added that American forces are targeting Iranian missiles, their launch bases, factories, and production lines, stressing that “all Iranian defense companies will be destroyed soon.”

Hegseth explained that the United States, in cooperation with its Israeli allies, has targeted about 15,000 targets inside Iran since the start of operations.

He also announced that Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei “is injured and is likely to suffer from deformities,” he said.

In the same context, the US Secretary stated that Iran’s military capabilities have been subjected to major blows, considering that Iran “practically no longer has an effective navy or air defense,” and that the number of missiles and drones it has has decreased significantly.

Hegseth accused Tehran of trying to close the Strait of Hormuz, considering that this step “reflects the state of despair that the Iranian regime is experiencing.”

He pointed out that the US administration is proceeding with its military operations with great determination, stressing that US President Donald Trump “is in control” of managing the war.

The US Secretary of Defense also stressed that “the only thing preventing movement through the Strait of Hormuz is Iranian attacks.”

He added that the United States would give Iran “the option of surrender through negotiations,” stressing that Washington “does not target civilians, while Iran targets civilians,” as he put it.

For his part, US Chief of Staff Dan Keane reported that US forces have so far targeted about 6,000 targets inside Iran, noting that this number is “increasing every hour” as military operations continue.

He explained that the US Central Command is particularly focused on striking Iranian capabilities related to laying sea mines, in addition to any activities that may affect the security of navigation in the strategic straits.

But at the same time, he pointed out that Iran is still capable of causing damage to allied forces and commercial shipping traffic in the region.

Ken confirmed that military operations are continuing at an increasing pace, expecting today to be “the most momentum in the military operation in 14 days.”