Live Updates: Hegseth Says U.S. “Just Getting Started” in Iran War as Conflict Intensifies and Spreads

The war between the United States, Israel, and Iran entered a new, more intense phase this week as officials from Washington and Tel Aviv indicated that military operations are far from over. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that “we are just getting started,” signaling a deeper, more coordinated campaign against Iran while operations expand beyond its borders.

The escalation follows days of intensive airstrikes, missile attacks, and drone operations, which have targeted Iranian military infrastructure and regional proxies. According to officials, the coalition has been focused on degrading Tehran’s missile systems, disrupting command networks, and establishing local air dominance in key areas.

U.S. and Israeli Forces Ramp Up Operations

Hegseth described the campaign — called Operation Epic Fury — as accelerating, not winding down. More bombers, fighter jets, and support assets are arriving in the Middle East daily, he said, with U.S. and Israeli forces striking thousands of targets across Iran. (latimes.com⁠�)

Pentagon assessments indicate that key Iranian air defense and missile systems have been significantly degraded, giving coalition aircraft greater freedom to operate and enabling deeper strikes inside Iranian territory. (notus.org⁠�)

Historic Naval Strike

A U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship in international waters near Sri Lanka, marking the first such torpedo strike by an American vessel since World War II. Pentagon officials described the operation as a demonstration of the coalition’s ability to project power far beyond the Persian Gulf. (euronews.com⁠�)

The sinking of the vessel represents a new geographic phase of the conflict, signaling that U.S.-Israeli operations are no longer confined to Iran’s immediate borders.

Rising Casualties and Expanding Fronts

The human toll is mounting. Six U.S. service members have been killed in retaliatory Iranian strikes, and hundreds of Iranian combatants and civilians have died in coalition bombardments. (cbsnews.com⁠�)

The conflict has also spread geographically. Israel has extended operations into southern Lebanon in response to missile and drone attacks from Iran-aligned Hezbollah. Lebanese authorities report dozens killed and hundreds wounded. Simultaneously, drones struck facilities in the United Arab Emirates, damaging major data centers and highlighting the regional spillover of the war. (cbsnews.com⁠�)

Domestic U.S. Debate

In the United States, the conflict has ignited political debate. The Senate recently blocked a resolution that would have limited presidential war powers over the Iran campaign, underscoring division over strategy and legality. (cbsnews.com⁠�)

President Donald Trump defended the operations as necessary to prevent Iranian attacks on U.S. forces or allies, stating that delaying action would have been strategically risky. He indicated that the campaign could last several weeks and emphasized that objectives will guide the timeline. (notus.org⁠�)

Humanitarian and Economic Consequences

The war’s expansion is already triggering humanitarian crises. Tens of thousands have been displaced in Lebanon, while power outages and infrastructure damage are affecting millions in Iraq and across the Gulf.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been disrupted, forcing carriers to suspend operations. Analysts warn that continued military escalation could destabilize energy markets further, driving up global oil prices and impacting regional economies. (euronews.com⁠�)

International Response

Global reaction remains mixed. Some allies support U.S. and Israeli strikes to counter Iran’s military reach, while others call for restraint and a diplomatic resolution to prevent further regional escalation.

Analysts warn that sustaining high-intensity operations may strain coalition resources, especially as new fronts emerge and retaliatory attacks continue. Hegseth has emphasized a mission-focused approach rather than open-ended occupation, but long-term stability remains uncertain.

What’s Next?

Military and civilian observers are closely watching:

Iran’s potential for counterattacks and proxy operations

Coalition efforts to degrade Tehran’s operational capabilities

Humanitarian impacts and regional displacement

Diplomatic efforts to prevent broader escalation

With U.S. and Israeli forces signaling continued action, the conflict shows little sign of abating. The coalition’s ability to maintain operational momentum, combined with Tehran’s resilience, will shape the war’s trajectory in the coming weeks.

Key Takeaways:

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the military campaign against Iran is “just getting started,” signaling deeper operations. (notus.org⁠�)

A U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship in international waters, expanding the conflict geographically. (euronews.com⁠�)

Casualties include U.S. service members and civilians in Iran, Lebanon, and Gulf states. (cbsnews.com⁠�)

Domestic U.S. debate continues over presidential war powers and campaign legality. (cbsnews.com⁠�)

The conflict is causing humanitarian displacement, infrastructure damage, and economic disruption in the region. (euronews.com⁠�)

The situation remains fluid, with Washington signaling that operations will continue until objectives are achieved, even as the conflict spreads across multiple fronts and raises global concern.