White House Claims Major Blow To Iran Navy
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the United States has sharply reduced Iran’s missile and naval attack capacity during Operation Epic Fury, describing the campaign as one of the most intense maritime strikes in modern military history. Her remarks came as Washington said its forces were continuing attacks aimed at weakening Iran’s military infrastructure and securing shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Claims Sharp Fall In Iran Missile Attacks
Leavitt said Iran’s ballistic missile and drone attacks had dropped by about 90 per cent compared with the start of the operation. She presented that decline as evidence that US strikes were significantly degrading Iran’s offensive capabilities. The White House also said the operation remained focused on reducing the threat posed by Iran to regional security and maritime trade.
More Than 140 Iranian Naval Vessels Destroyed
According to Leavitt, US forces have destroyed more than 140 Iranian naval vessels, including nearly 50 mine-laying boats. She described the campaign as the largest destruction of a navy in a three-week period since World War II. The White House framed the strikes as part of a broader effort to break Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping and energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
US Says Operation Still Underway
Leavitt also said the US had dropped several 5,000-pound bombs on an underground coastal facility used to store anti-ship cruise missiles and mobile launchers. On the question of congressional approval, she said formal authorisation was not currently necessary because the US remained in the middle of major combat operations. She added that the administration had briefed senior lawmakers and expected the overall operation to run on a four-to-six-week timeline.
