Trump says we're 'blowing up the whole country' if Iran doesn't make deal in 48 hours
Two C-130 aircraft were lost during the operation, an official said.
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes attack targeting military and government sites, officials said.
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Key Headlines
Hegseth confirms US destroyed an ammo depot in Isfahan
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed a video posted by President Donald Trump on Monday was an ammunition depot in Isfahan that was left destroyed by U.S. bombers.
"You don't get to see many of those videos, because, as a reminder, Iran has still shut off the internet to 99.9% of its population," Hegseth told reporters at a Pentagon press briefing Tuesday.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine provided operational updates, noting the U.S. has begun B-52 bomber missions over Iranian territory, and noting for the first time the U.S. has targeted "nuclear weapons research and development labs."
"Given the increase in air superiority, we've successfully started to conduct the first overland B-52 missions, which allow us, as we've said before, to continue to get on top of the enemy,” Caine said.
Hegseth doesn't rule out US boots on the ground in Iran
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth did not rule out the possibility of putting American troops on the ground in Iran when asked at a Pentagon press briefing Tuesday.
"We're not going to foreclose any option," Hegseth said.
"You can't fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do or what you are not willing to do, to include boots on the ground. The end. Our adversary right now thinks there are 15 different ways we could come at them with boots on the ground. And guess what? There are," Hegseth said.
Hegseth said this could be one option of many, with others including successful negotiations.
"So if we needed to, we could execute those options on behalf of the president of the United States and this department, or maybe we don't have to use them at all," Hegseth said.
Other countries 'ought to be prepared to step up' on Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. continues to reduce Iran's capabilities and limit its options in the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating its warning that Iran needs to open up the Strait of Hormuz or the U.S. has options, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said at a Pentagon press briefing on Tuesday.
"I think the president was clear this morning in his [social media post], there are countries around the world who ought to be prepared to step up on this critical waterway as well. It's not just the United States Navy," Hegseth said.
"Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well," Hegseth said.
Hegseth said the U.S. uses the waterway less than most other countries.
"President Trump's been willing to do the heavy lifting on behalf of the free world to address this threat of Iran. It's not just our problem set going forward, even though we have done the lion's share of preparation to ensure that that strait will be will be open," Hegseth said.
Hegseth makes surprise visit to troops in CENTCOM
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made a surprise visit Saturday to meet with U.S. troops in U.S. Central Command.
Hegseth described meeting with U.S. service members, including pilots carrying out strikes on Iran.
"I witnessed warriors, a brotherhood of men and women, warriors all active duty, Guard and Reserve, united in their love for each other, their shared purpose and their commitment to the mission," Hegseth said.
"I spoke to all ranks and all services, none of whom knew we were coming. It was not rehearsed or scripted," Hegseth said.