🔴Pentagon Briefing: US Decimates Iran's Military | Operation Epic Fury Day 13

Video Description

What is the true status of Iran's military capabilities 13 days into Operation Epic Fury? In this critical Department of War press briefing, the Secretary of War and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs provide a highly detailed, unvarnished update on the US and Israeli air campaign over Iran. From the historic first combat deployment of Precision Strike Missiles (PRISMs) by American artillery units to the tragic loss of a KC-135 refueling aircraft, this briefing covers the tactical realities and the strategic goal of denying Iran a nuclear weapon. Make sure you are subscribed to DEFENSE NOW for the most accurate, up-to-date coverage of US military and political affairs. Hit the notification bell so you never miss a briefing. ⏳ Timestamps: 00:00 - SecDef's Opening: Decimating Iran's Military Capabilities 09:55 - KC-135 Crash Confirmation & USS Gerald R. Ford Update 14:02 - Historic Artillery Operations: First Combat Use of PRISM 19:15 - Q&A: Strait of Hormuz & Nuclear Denial Strategy 27:37 - Q&A: Air Superiority & Defining Mission Success 31:48 - Q&A: US Casualties & Countering Proxy Threats ## Key Points & Timestamps * **00:00:19 - 00:09:55 | Secretary's Opening Remarks: Decimating Iran's Military Capabilities** * The U.S. and Israel have struck over 15,000 targets in 13 days. * Iran's missile volume and one-way attack drone capabilities have been reduced by 90-95%. * The strategic focus has shifted heavily to destroying Iran's defense industrial base (factories, innovation centers) to completely eliminate their ability to rebuild ballistic missiles. * The Secretary directly pushes back on media narratives portraying a "widening war," stating instead that the U.S. is strictly advancing its objectives while Iranian leadership goes underground. * **00:09:55 - 00:14:02 | Chairman's Update: KC-135 Crash & Naval Operations** * Confirms the crash of a KC-135 tanker over western Iraq (not due to hostile fire) and an ongoing search, rescue, and recovery operation. * Mentions a fire aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford that resulted in injuries but is currently under control. * Confirms the destruction of Iran's Soleimani-class warships and a heavy focus on neutralizing Iran's mine-laying enterprise to eventually secure the Strait of Hormuz. * **00:14:02 - 00:19:15 | Historic Artillery Operations & PRISM Deployment** * Details the historic first combat use of Precision Strike Missiles (PRISMs) by U.S. forces. * Highlights the 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment out of Fort Bragg, who successfully used ATACMS to sink multiple ships, including a submarine, from outside Iran's borders. * **00:19:15 - 00:27:37 | Q&A: Strait of Hormuz, Nuclear Strategy & Civilian Casualties** * **Strait of Hormuz:** The U.S. is planning for all contingencies to re-open commercial flow, which is currently only halted by Iranian hostility. * **Nuclear Objective:** Eradicating the conventional ballistic missile "umbrella" paves the way to permanently deny Iran a nuclear weapon, building on the previous success of "Operation Midnight Hammer." * **Civilian Strike Investigation:** Responding to reports of a strike on a girls' school, the Pentagon announces an outside General Officer has been appointed to lead a formal command investigation. * **00:27:37 - 00:31:48 | Q&A: Air Superiority & Defining Mission Success** * **Air Superiority:** Only 1% of munitions being dropped today are standoff weapons; the remaining 99% are "over-the-top" munitions, signaling total U.S. air supremacy. * **Mission Objectives:** Success is strictly defined as destroying missile launchers, the defense industrial base, the Iranian Navy, and denying a nuclear weapon—explicitly ruling out "nation-building" or mission creep. * **00:31:48 - 00:35:37 | Q&A: U.S. Casualties & International Roles** * **Casualties:** Clarifies that while there have been casualties, the overwhelming majority (nearly 90%) are minor injuries from one-way attack drones that resulted in a quick "return to duty." * **Global Dynamics:** Confirms the U.S. sets its own military demands independent of Israeli objectives, and notes the President will discuss these global power dynamics with China's Xi Jinping soon. #OperationEpicFury #PeteHegseth #USMilitary #Pentagon #DefenseNow #MiddleEast #Geopolitics #MilitaryNews Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKBNaxsFV4hpGVc8QOUmsFg/join Defense Now | March 2026 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe95fdmDwNk9G-CxHiLoHoQwNoyFsk5Nj&si=T2jRLe61qLzhjW0T Members-only videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUMOKBNaxsFV4hpGVc8QOUmsFg LIVE: Secretary of War and CJCS, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, Hold a Press Briefing at the Pentagon. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, hold a press briefing at the Pentagon March 13, 2026. Film Credits: Department of War