US Vows Most Intense Day of Strikes Inside Iran, Hegseth Says

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that Tuesday would be the “most intense day of strikes inside Iran,” saying the military would send the most fighters and bombers yet as the campaign entered its second week.

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ABC10

Multiple outlets noted the comment as part of repeated Pentagon briefings, with Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, appearing alongside Hegseth.

ABC7 New York

The administration framed the operation as more limited than past U.S. wars, with Hegseth insisting “this is not 2003, this is not endless nation-building,” even as the fighting continued into its 10th–11th days.

Pentagon officials argued the strikes and accompanying operations were degrading Iran’s capacity to strike U.S. forces and regional neighbors, citing steep drops in Iranian missile and drone launches since the campaign began.

Gen. Dan Caine said missile attacks have fallen dramatically and Hegseth pointed to those numbers as "strong evidence of degradation,"

Alaska Public Media

Other briefings noted the U.S. campaign had moved into its 11th day.

The violence has spread beyond Iran’s borders: Iranian drones and rockets were reported across the Gulf and Gulf states activated air defenses,

“Updated March 10, 2026 at 2:24 PM AKDT The Trump administration promised its heaviest attacks on Iran on Tuesday, while Israel intensified its attacks in Lebanon, as the war in the Middle East ground through its 11th day”

Alaska Public Media

Israel intensified strikes in Lebanon and ordered evacuations in Beirut suburbs.

Regional governments reported intercepting incoming missiles and activating air defenses, and media reported new Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and Lebanon-linked targets as the conflict widened.

Political signals from Washington were mixed: President Trump made public comments hinting at both openness to talks and threats of stepped-up force if Iran tried to close the Strait of Hormuz,

Iranian officials replied with sharp warnings.

fox6now

U.S. and Iranian messaging escalated on social media and in official statements, with Tehran officials warning the president to "take care of yourself" and other Revolutionary Guard spokespeople threatening to halt oil exports as a leverage point.

Reports emphasized the human and operational toll and the uncertain timeline: outlets tracked mounting casualty figures in Iran, Lebanon and Israel, noted U.S. combat deaths being returned home, and described market and shipping impacts.

“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday during a news briefing that today will be the most intense day yet of U”

fox6now

News organizations also highlighted that officials offered conflicting timelines for how long the campaign would last.

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