US Strikes on Iran Intensify as Pentagon Warns of Most Intense Day Yet

Published: 11 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Tensions across the Middle East rose sharply as US strikes on Iran entered a dramatic phase. Officials in Washington warned that the coming hours could mark the most intense day yet in the campaign. The warning signals an escalation in the ongoing confrontation between the United States and Iran.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered the stark message during a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday morning. He said the pace and scale of US strikes on Iran would significantly increase. The operation, he explained, aims to weaken Iran’s missile systems and military infrastructure rapidly.

Hegseth appeared alongside Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Both officials outlined the growing scale of military operations across Iranian territory. Their briefing highlighted the increasing intensity of US strikes on Iran during the past ten days.

According to the Pentagon, the campaign has already targeted thousands of military installations and weapons facilities. Caine confirmed that US Central Command has struck more than 5,000 targets since operations began. These targets include missile launch sites, drone factories, command centres, and naval facilities.

He said the strikes have destroyed more than 50 Iranian naval vessels operating across the region. Several manufacturing sites producing autonomous drones were also heavily damaged during the campaign. These operations, he explained, were designed to limit Iran’s ability to launch further attacks.

The general also confirmed the use of powerful bunker-busting weapons during several recent missions. US forces deployed dozens of GPS-guided 2,000-pound penetrating bombs against deeply buried missile launch systems. These weapons are capable of striking fortified underground facilities that conventional bombs cannot reach.

Caine noted that Iranian ballistic missile attacks have gradually declined since the strikes began. However, smaller aerial threats remain active across parts of the region. Allied aircraft and helicopters have been intercepting one-way attack drones launched by Iranian forces.

Military officials say these interceptions involve fighter jets as well as specialised attack helicopters. Their goal is to stop drones before they reach American or allied positions. Defence planners believe these tactics have significantly reduced the impact of Iran’s retaliatory operations.

Hegseth insisted that Iran is increasingly isolated as the conflict continues. He argued that many regional governments have chosen not to support Tehran. According to the Pentagon chief, Iran now stands largely alone in this confrontation.

He also claimed that several groups previously aligned with Tehran have become less active. Hegseth mentioned Hezbollah, the Houthi movement, and Hamas during his remarks.

The defence secretary said these organisations appear weakened, inactive, or reluctant to join the conflict. That shift, he suggested, reflects the growing pressure on Iran’s leadership. Washington believes the weakening of these alliances limits Iran’s strategic options.

Despite the military claims, questions about civilian casualties have intensified internationally. Journalists asked Hegseth about a deadly strike that reportedly killed more than 165 civilians. The attack struck an all-girls school and left many children among the dead.

The school, known as Shajareh Tayyebeh Girls Elementary School, was reportedly hit during the first morning of the campaign. Rescue workers said around 170 girls aged between seven and twelve were attending classes. Many remained inside when the strike occurred.

First responders described scenes of devastation after the explosion struck the school building. Emergency teams searched through rubble while families gathered outside hoping for survivors. Local reports suggested that the strike may have involved two separate explosions.

Some witnesses described the attack as a possible “double-tap” strike. This term refers to repeated strikes on the same location within a short period. Such tactics can make rescue operations extremely dangerous for emergency workers.

When questioned about the tragedy, Hegseth defended the conduct of US forces. He argued that Iranian military units often operate from civilian areas. According to him, missiles and launch equipment are sometimes placed near schools and hospitals.

The defence secretary claimed such tactics attempt to shield military infrastructure behind civilian populations. He described the practice as a deliberate strategy used by “terrorist regimes.” Hegseth insisted American forces do not intentionally target civilians during operations.

He also said the United States has historically taken extensive measures to avoid civilian casualties. However, he acknowledged that investigations into individual strikes can take considerable time. Officials are still reviewing intelligence related to the school attack.

Preliminary assessments by American analysts suggest the United States was likely responsible for the strike. Reports cited by CBS News indicate that outdated intelligence may have contributed to the error.

Investigators believe the site had once been linked to a nearby naval facility. That base belonged to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The facility was reportedly separated from the school complex several years earlier.

Sources suggest the location stopped operating as a military installation around 2016. If confirmed, this timeline raises serious questions about intelligence accuracy during the operation. Pentagon officials have not yet released a final investigation report.

Another issue raised during the briefing involved the condition of Iran’s leadership. Journalists asked whether Iran’s new supreme leader had been injured during recent strikes. Hegseth declined to confirm or deny those reports.

He instead suggested that Iran’s leadership should reconsider its strategic choices. The defence secretary said it would be wise for Tehran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. He repeated Washington’s demand that Iran must renounce nuclear weapons permanently.

Recent reports indicate that Mojtaba Khamenei has assumed leadership following the death of his father. Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed during the opening strikes of the campaign.

The change in leadership adds another layer of uncertainty to the conflict’s future direction. Analysts believe the new leader may face immediate pressure to respond strongly. However, Iran’s weakened military infrastructure may limit available options.

Despite the escalating conflict, Hegseth insisted the United States will avoid a prolonged war. He stressed that the operation is not intended to resemble past long-term military occupations. His remarks appeared to reference the experience of the Iraq War.

“This is not 2003,” Hegseth told reporters during the press conference. He said American forces have learned lessons from previous military engagements. According to him, the goal is to achieve clear strategic outcomes without endless nation-building.

The defence secretary also emphasised that the campaign focuses on protecting American security. He warned against allowing any country to threaten the United States with nuclear blackmail. Preventing that scenario remains a central objective of the current strategy.

Meanwhile, political signals from Washington appear mixed regarding potential diplomacy. US President Donald Trump recently suggested that negotiations might still be possible.

During an interview with Fox News, Trump said Iran had expressed interest in talks. However, he indicated that any meeting would depend entirely on acceptable conditions.

Just days earlier, Trump took a far tougher stance in a social media post. Writing on Truth Social, he declared that only unconditional surrender would end the conflict.

That message has raised doubts about whether diplomatic channels remain realistic. International observers worry that the escalating military pressure could close opportunities for negotiations.

For now, the world watches closely as US strikes on Iran continue intensifying. The coming days may determine whether this confrontation stabilises or grows into a wider crisis. Many governments are urging restraint while hoping diplomatic solutions eventually return.

Yet the immediate future remains uncertain as military operations expand across the region. Each new strike carries risks for both security and civilian safety. With tensions high and rhetoric escalating, the situation remains one of the most dangerous global flashpoints today.

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