US Destroys Iran Mine-Laying Vessels in 'Most Intense Day' of Strikes

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared Tuesday would be "the most intense day of strikes" against Iran, framing the campaign—referred to in some reporting as Operation Epic Fury—as reaching its most forceful phase.

““We do so on our timeline and at our choosing”

Al Jazeera

Multiple outlets quoted Hegseth using the same language, with KTVL reporting he said Iran is "badly losing on day 10" and promising "the most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes," while NBC and CBS repeated Hegseth’s description of the day as the "most intense day" of strikes.

Al Jazeera

The National Herald also ran a headline linking Hormuz disruptions and Hegseth’s announcement, underscoring how officials tied a stepped-up strike tempo to broader strategic aims.

U.S. military leaders said naval operations focused on neutralising mine-laying threats in the Gulf, with Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine and other officials describing active efforts to "hunt and strike mine-laying vessels."

NBC and Al Jazeera quoted Caine using that phrase while Daily Times reported American forces were "targeting Iranian vessels suspected of laying naval mines" and claimed U.S. attacks had "sunk or destroyed more than 50 Iranian naval ships" during the first ten days of fighting.

CBS News

Regional reporting also documented attacks on commercial shipping and at least one possible strike on a bulk carrier off Abu Dhabi, highlighting growing risks to maritime traffic.

U.S. and allied strikes were described by officials as severely degrading Iran’s missile and drone capabilities: Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine was quoted as saying the campaign reduced Iranian missile launches by 90% and that the strikes had hit thousands of targets,

“US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Washington would launch stronger attacks if Iran blocks oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz”

Daily Times

while National Herald highlighted Pentagon claims the campaign was neutralising specific systems such as "Fateh-110/360 SRBMs" and "Shahed-136 drones."

CBS reported Caine saying the joint strikes had struck some "5,000 targets in Iran," and multiple outlets noted a drop in launch activity over a 24-hour period.

Officials tied the intensified strikes to protecting energy routes and deterring an Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. leaders warning of stronger retaliation if oil shipments were blocked.

NBC and Daily Times recorded President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth issuing stark warnings — NBC quoting Trump threatening "death, fire and fury" if Iran blockades Hormuz and Daily Times noting Hegseth "warned that Washington would launch stronger attacks if Iran blocks oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz."

FOX 32 Chicago

Al Jazeera also reported diplomatic and military planning around escorting vessels, quoting U.S. officials on evaluating options "to set the military conditions" for escort missions.

Reporting on human and regional costs showed differing tallies and ongoing violence: NBC stated that "In Iran, more than 1,200 people have been killed by Israeli and American strikes" while Al Jazeera reported the strikes had killed "the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and more than 1,250 other people," and regional outlets recorded deaths from Iranian attacks on Gulf countries such as a woman killed in Bahrain.

“and Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran on Feb”

KCBY

CBS coverage described burials of Iranian personnel and noted state-managed public displays.

KCBY

These sources therefore present broadly similar accounts of sustained casualties and funerals but differ on specifics, and several articles cautioned that independent verification of some claims was limited.