Operation Epic Fury enters its fourth day with a strong signal released by US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, March 4th. He announced that the United States is achieving a “decisive, destructive, and unforgiving victory” in this military operation, with the Iranian leadership either dead or in hiding.
According to Hegseth at a press conference in the Pentagon, the US and Israeli air forces are expected to fully control Iranian airspace in “less than a week”, making it an “uncontested airspace”. This would allow for continuous presence of US B-2, B-52, and B-1 bombers.
The focus of the attacks has officially shifted from early air defense systems and radar facilities to the complete destruction of Iran’s military industrial bases and military leadership. Hegseth stated that the current objective is to “find, fix, and finish” high-ranking Iranian military officials. The War Secretary mentioned that many Iranian top leaders have either been killed or forced into hiding.
He said, “Iran’s top leaders are either dead, missing, or cowering in bunkers, fearing to even stay in the same room.”
Hegseth declared that with the air superiority achieved, the US military will extensively utilize 500-pound, 1,000-pound, and 2,000-pound GPS and laser-guided precision gravity bombs, emphasizing that the US military has “almost an unlimited supply”.
“This has never been a fair fight,” Hegseth said, “We are continuing to strike them while they’re down, this is exactly how it should be. America’s rules of engagement are designed to unleash American power.”
Hegseth noted that the Iranian military has been severely weakened with the Iranian Air Force no longer in existence. He added that the Iranian Navy has been destroyed and their missile launch capabilities drastically reduced. “Iran’s combat capabilities are evaporating by the hour.”
Hegseth also confirmed that a US submarine sunk an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. “A US submarine sank an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters,” he added, stating that the ship was destroyed by a torpedo.
He stated that the US goal is to destroy Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, dismantle its military infrastructure, and ensure that the Iranian regime can never acquire nuclear weapons. “Iran will never have nuclear bombs – it’s just not possible under our watch,” emphasized Hegseth, as the operation enters its fourth day, with the battle only just beginning.
As Iran unleashes indiscriminate retaliation, the conflict has spread to neighboring countries. NATO spokesperson, Allison Hart, strongly condemned Iran’s launching of ballistic missiles into Turkish airspace, expressing NATO’s firm support for Turkey. Hart emphasized that NATO’s defense and deterrence posture remains strong in all areas, including missile defense systems.
Meanwhile, Israel announced a new round of attacks in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military has ordered the evacuation of a large area in southern Lebanon including Tyre, urging residents to move north of the Litani River. This signals that Israel’s full-scale hostile operation against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia has entered its third day.
The current situation indicates a fundamental shift in the stance of Gulf countries. Facing Iran’s saturated attacks on civilian centers and energy facilities, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain have officially reached agreements with the US Central Command (CENTCOM), as reported by Fox News.
The Gulf allies’ air forces are no longer limited to defensive interceptions but have begun executing joint offensive missions. It is reported that multi-national coalition F-15SA and F-16 fighter jets have participated in recent precise strikes on Iranian southern missile bases and logistical lines. A Gulf official stated, “Iran has crossed the red line, and we will not sit back and be slaughtered.”