US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reports intensified military campaign against Iran

On March 10, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced an intensification of military operations against Iran, describing the day as the most intense since the conflict began on February 28. Hegseth stated that the U.S. is deploying a record number of aircraft and bombers to target Iranian missile capabilities, naval forces, and defense infrastructure. He claimed that Iran is in a state of desperation and that the Iranian navy has been largely neutralized. While Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. aim is to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, he declined to specify the duration of the conflict, deferring to President Donald Trump. General Dan Kane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that the military is considering options for escorting vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Hegseth also mentioned that Iran launched the lowest number of missiles in the past 24 hours since the war's inception. Sources citing Iranian tactics claim that the regime is firing missiles from civilian locations like schools and hospitals, though such allegations remain part of the official U.S. narrative.