The United States says Iran is firing fewer missiles since the start of the war, signaling a decline in Iranian capabilities. U.S. officials announced plans to expand strikes progressively deeper into Iranian territory. The developments indicate an intensification of the conflict affecting both countries and regional security.
General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said U.S. forces will strike inland to gain more freedom of maneuver. He emphasized that these operations aim to further degrade Iran’s military infrastructure. The Pentagon briefing highlighted strategic adjustments in the ongoing war.
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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States is making gains despite six American troops killed. He added that U.S. forces are positioned to outlast Iran in the conflict. Officials continue to monitor Iranian missile activity closely for changes in intensity.
Hegseth confirmed that an Iranian warship was sunk off Sri Lanka by an American submarine. He described it as the first torpedo sinking of an enemy vessel since World War Two. The attack targeted the ship in international waters, demonstrating U.S. naval capabilities and deterrence.
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The conflict shows signs of escalation with inland U.S. strikes and Iran’s reduced missile launches. Analysts warn that regional tensions could further destabilize the Middle East. Both sides continue to assert military pressure while international diplomatic channels remain largely inactive.