March 4, 2026, 5:13 p.mMarch 4, 2026, 5:13 p.m
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (left) and Chief of Staff Dan Caine.Image: keystone
After its first offensive against the leadership in Tehran, the US military wants to change its tactics in Iran.
US Chief of Staff Dan Caine said at a news conference in Washington that the armed forces had gained air superiority over the southern flank of the Iranian coast. US forces should now penetrate ever deeper into Iranian territory.
The US Regional Command for the Middle East (Centcom) wants to switch from large, targeted attacks with long-range weapons to precision strikes on the fourth day since the start of the joint US-Israeli offensive, Caine said. So-called Hellfire rockets will also be used and the speed will be increased.
Chief of General Staff refuses to provide information about ammunition stocks
The Chief of General Staff refused to provide specific information about the remaining ammunition supply. “We have enough precision ammunition for the task at hand,” he simply said. For reasons of operational security, he did not want to name any quantities.
So far, the US military says it has pursued three central goals:
- The destruction of Iran’s missile system to protect the United States and its partners in the region,
- the destruction or massive weakening of the Iranian navy,
- preventing a rapid rebuilding of Iran’s military capabilities.
How far the US has come in meeting these goals is still unclear. According to statements by Minister Peter Hegseth, US forces have already destroyed 17 Iranian ships. These are said to include the “IRIS Dena” – one of Iran’s most modern frigates.
(sda/dpa)