by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – The United States carried out its most extensive wave of strikes against Iran to date on Thursday, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
“Today will be the largest strike package yet,” Hegseth said during a Pentagon briefing, noting that U.S. forces have increasingly degraded Iran’s military infrastructure. According to the Pentagon, recent operations have targeted Iran’s air defenses, missile and drone production facilities, and naval assets.
“Our capabilities continue to build, Iran’s continue to degrade,” Hegseth said, underscoring what officials describe as growing U.S. operational dominance.
However, Joint Chiefs officials cautioned that Iran remains capable of retaliation. U.S. General Dan Caine acknowledged Tehran still retains “some capability” to launch strikes across the Gulf region.
Hegseth also issued sharp criticism of European allies, suggesting they should express gratitude to Donald Trump for confronting Iran’s nuclear ambitions and broader threat. He argued that Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons poses a global danger, not merely a regional one.
“This is about stopping a terror state from holding the world hostage,” Hegseth said, adding that the administration is committed to finishing the campaign, with no defined timeline for its conclusion.
The Pentagon is expected to request additional funding from Congress to sustain operations, with estimates potentially reaching or exceeding $200 billion—likely setting up a contentious debate on Capitol Hill.
Meanwhile, the conflict has begun impacting global energy markets. Iranian retaliatory strikes have damaged key infrastructure across the region, including a major liquefied natural gas facility in Qatar and refineries in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, contributing to a sharp rise in oil prices.
The escalation follows Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars gas field. President Trump warned that while Israel may hold back from further attacks on that site, the U.S. would respond decisively if additional regional energy assets are targeted.
As tensions escalate, this moment reflects more than a geopolitical clash—it underscores a historic realignment unfolding in the Middle East, where long-standing powers are being shaken and the stage continues to set for events that carry both global consequence and deeper prophetic significance.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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