U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided an update this morning on Operation Epic Furey – the U.S. military campaign against Iran and its Islamist regime.
More American troops are now heading to the Middle East, and the Red Crescent is reporting that some 500 Iranians have been killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes.
Hegseth told reporters tis morning that the United States had to act decisively after failing to gain any ground in negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program.
“The mission of Operation Epic Furey is laser-focused” says Hegseth. “Destroy Iran offensive missiles, destroy Iranian missle production, destroy their navy and other security infrastructure, and they will never have nuclear weapons. We’re hitting them surgically, overwhelmingly and unapologetically.”
Oil prices are surging – up by 10 per cent – as a result of the military action, and natural gas prices were up by close to 50 per cent on Monday after QatarEnergy halted production following hits on its facilities.
At least four U.S. service members have been killed in retaliatory attacks, with more seriously wounded, and U.S. President Donald Trump has warned “there will likely be more” U.S. deaths as a result of the ongoing strikes.
Meanwhile, Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged fire in Lebanon as military action in the Middle East expands.
