Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth Says U.S. Strikes on Iran to Intensify

Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that the United States will intensify military strikes on Iran as the conflict involving U.S. and Israeli forces continues.

Speaking at a news conference at the Pentagon, Hegseth said the day would see the heaviest strikes since the start of the war.

"Today will be yet again our most intense day of strikes inside Iran," Mr. Hegseth told a news conference at the Pentagon more than 10 days into the U.S.-Israeli war against the Islamic republic.

Hegseth said the duration of the military campaign will depend on decisions taken by Donald Trump.

"As for a timeline for the war, Mr. Trump 'gets to control the throttle. He's the one deciding'," Mr. Hegseth said.

"It's not for me to posit whether it's the beginning, the middle or the end," the Defense Secretary said.

U.S. military targets Iranian naval assets

Dan Caine, the top U.S. military officer, said the campaign also aims to weaken Iran’s naval capabilities.

Among the goals of the conflict is the destruction of Iran's navy, which has been targeted with "artillery, fighters, bombers and sea-launched missiles," General Dan Caine said alongside Mr. Hegseth.

He added that U.S. forces are continuing operations against vessels suspected of laying naval mines.

Mr. Caine said U.S. forces continue "to hunt and strike mine-laying vessels and mine storage facilities" -- weapons Iran could use to block maritime traffic.

Iran threatens to block Gulf oil exports

Iran has warned that it could block oil exports passing through the Gulf during the war.

Trump has also issued strong warnings to Tehran, threatening "death, fire, and fury" if Iranian forces interfere with crude exports.

Hegseth also accused Iran of positioning military equipment in civilian areas.

Mr. Hegseth meanwhile accused Iran of "moving rocket launchers into civilian neighborhoods, near schools, near hospitals to try to prevent our ability to strike -- that's how they operate."

Strike on school under investigation

Hegseth did not directly address reports of a strike earlier in the conflict that hit an elementary school in the southern Iranian city of Minab.

Iran said the strike killed more than 150 people.

Trump said the incident is under investigation. He also suggested on Monday that Iran may have fired a Tomahawk missile at the school itself, although Iran does not possess Tomahawk missiles.

The missile system is widely used by U.S. forces.