U.S. defense authorities reaffirmed clear goals of eliminating nuclear weapons and striking missile threats in connection with the military operation against Iran, "Epic Fury," and insisted it will not become an "endless war" like the past Iraq War.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said at a briefing at the Ministry of National Defense on the 2nd (local time), "This operation is a clear, destructive and decisive mission," adding, "This is not Iraq. This is not an endless war." He defined the specific objectives of the operation as "to destroy Iran's missile threat and naval power and prevent possession of nuclear weapons," making clear that the United States did not start this war first.
Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who joined the briefing, noted the operation's difficulty and struck a cautious tone. Caine said, "This war is not an operation that ends overnight," and predicted, "It will take time to achieve the military objectives, and in some cases it will be difficult and arduous work." He also mentioned the possibility of additional U.S. military casualties during the operation and added that efforts would be made to minimize losses.
In particular, the U.S. military said it is receiving active support from allies in the Middle East during this operation. Caine explained, "As Iran's threat has grown, the air defense batteries of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia have joined the fight to support U.S. forces." This is interpreted as reflecting a situation in which Middle Eastern countries, feeling threatened as Iran strikes not only Israel but also major infrastructure such as U.S. bases and energy facilities in neighboring countries, are bolstering the U.S. defense system.
Meanwhile, since the 28th of last month, the United States has carried out a third straight day of intensive airstrikes aimed at neutralizing Iran's key military and nuclear facilities. In the process, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei was reported killed, and Iran's leadership is said to have suffered a decapitating blow. In retaliation, Iran's counterattacks have plunged the entire Middle East into the vortex of all-out war.