Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said during a Pentagon briefing on March 13, 2026, that Iran’s defense industrial base is nearing complete destruction after sustained U.S. and Israeli strikes under Operation Epic Fury.
The U.S. Department of Defense reported that Iranian ballistic missile production facilities and military infrastructure have been heavily damaged since the campaign began on February 28.
The remarks were delivered during a Pentagon press briefing where U.S. Department of Defense officials provided operational updates on the joint U.S.–Israel campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure. The update outlined strike results, reductions in Iranian missile activity, and naval operations affecting the Strait of Hormuz.
Pentagon briefing outlines campaign progress
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told reporters at the Pentagon that the campaign against Iran’s military infrastructure has intensified since Operation Epic Fury began on February 28. According to the U.S. Department of Defense briefing transcript released March 13, the operation focuses on disabling Iran’s capacity to sustain missile and drone warfare.
Additionally, Hegseth stated that U.S. and Israeli air operations are targeting Iran’s military plants, defense companies, and research facilities. The Department of Defense said the campaign aims to reduce Iran’s ability to manufacture weapons used in regional attacks.
Claims about Iran’s military infrastructure
Hegseth said during the Pentagon briefing that Iran’s ballistic missile production capacity has been “functionally defeated.” According to the U.S. Department of Defense update, strikes have targeted factories, complexes, and industrial sites responsible for missile components and assembly lines across the country.
Meanwhile, Pentagon officials stated the objective is not only to destroy existing stockpiles but to eliminate future manufacturing capability. The Department of Defense briefing emphasised that production lines and defense innovation centers were among the primary targets of the campaign.
Scale of strikes against Iranian targets
The Pentagon said the pace of strikes has intensified since the start of Operation Epic Fury. According to figures cited during the March 13 Department of Defense briefing, the campaign reached its highest daily strike total on that day since operations began.
Additionally, the Department of Defense reported that U.S. and Israeli forces have conducted thousands of strikes against Iranian military targets. Pentagon officials said the attacks have affected missile infrastructure, drone capabilities, and logistics networks supporting Iranian military operations.
Strike statistics and operational impact
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Total targets struck | Over 15,000 targets hit | Strike totals cited during the March 13 Pentagon briefing released by the U.S. Department of Defense |
| Ballistic missile launch volume | Down approximately 90% | Operational assessment presented during the Department of Defense briefing on Operation Epic Fury |
| One-way drone attacks | Down approximately 95% | Data provided by the U.S. Department of Defense describing battlefield impact since the start of operations |
Damage to Iran’s naval capabilities
During the same Pentagon briefing, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine said U.S. and Israeli forces have severely degraded Iranian naval combat capability. The Department of Defense briefing stated that strikes have targeted multiple Iranian naval vessels and coastal facilities.
Additionally, Caine said the Iranian navy has been rendered “combat ineffective” in less than two weeks of operations. According to the Department of Defense, the strikes included attacks on Soleimani-class warships equipped with anti-ship missiles and air defense systems.
Strategic risks in the Strait of Hormuz
Despite the damage to Iran’s naval forces, Pentagon officials warned that risks remain in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Department of Defense briefing, Iranian forces still retain the ability to threaten shipping through mine-laying operations or remaining naval assets.
Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command has prioritised operations against Iranian mine-deployment capabilities. Pentagon officials said nearby naval bases and depots are also being targeted to limit Iran’s ability to disrupt international maritime traffic.
U.S. and Israeli military coordination
Operation Epic Fury is being conducted jointly by U.S. forces under U.S. Central Command and Israeli military units, according to the Department of Defense briefing. Pentagon officials described the campaign as a coordinated air operation focused on disabling Iran’s military infrastructure.
Additionally, Hegseth said the campaign uses multiple warfare tools including electronic disruption, targeting intelligence, and air strikes. The Department of Defense briefing indicated that the goal is to disrupt Iranian command structures while destroying military production capabilities.
Operational cooperation and joint air campaign
Pentagon officials said U.S. and Israeli aircraft are conducting coordinated strikes across Iranian territory. According to the Department of Defense update, the campaign combines intelligence sharing, joint targeting, and air operations across multiple strike packages.
Meanwhile, the Department of Defense briefing described the effort as the largest sustained strike campaign conducted against Iranian military infrastructure in the current conflict. Pentagon officials said the operation continues to escalate operational pressure on Iranian military systems.
Tribute to fallen U.S. service members
The Pentagon briefing also included remarks about a U.S. Air Force KC-135 refueling tanker crash in western Iraq. According to the Department of Defense, the aircraft crash resulted in confirmed fatalities among the crew, with recovery operations continuing at the time of the briefing.
Additionally, Hegseth said U.S. officials plan to receive the fallen service members at Dover Air Force Base once repatriation is completed. The Department of Defense briefing emphasized that casualty notification and recovery efforts were ongoing.
Stakeholder comments
- Secretary of War Pete Hegseth: During the March 13 Pentagon briefing, Hegseth described the fallen KC-135 crew as “American heroes,” according to the U.S. Department of Defense transcript.
- Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: Caine told reporters that casualty notification is among the most difficult responsibilities in military service, according to the Department of Defense briefing.
In Conclusion
The U.S. Department of Defense briefing on March 13 presented Operation Epic Fury as a large-scale campaign aimed at dismantling Iran’s military production capacity and reducing its operational strike capability. Pentagon officials cited significant reductions in missile launches and drone attacks as evidence of battlefield impact.
Meanwhile, Department of Defense officials said the campaign continues while recovery efforts proceed for the KC-135 crew lost in Iraq. The Pentagon indicated that military operations and regional maritime security concerns remain ongoing.
Sources: U.S. Department of Defense.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources.
Research combines AI-assisted analysis with human-edited accuracy and context.
