US touts ‘clear objectives’ in Iran

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The Department of Defense has reported striking its 10,000th target since the bombing started almost four weeks ago

Published 25 Mar, 2026 21:44 | Updated 25 Mar, 2026 21:59

US Central Command released its fifth update on Operation Epic Fury claiming the campaign remains “on plan or ahead of plan” in achieving what it described as “very clear military objectives” – even as the scope and ultimate goals of the operation remain subject to interpretation.

Adm. Brad Cooper announced that US forces have struck more than 10,000 Iranian targets, destroyed 92% of the Iranian Navy’s largest vessels, and damaged over two-thirds of Iran’s missile, drone, and naval production facilities.

But while the admiral framed the campaign as a mission to eliminate Iran’s ability to “project power in meaningful ways outside its borders,” the precise benchmarks for success – and what would constitute an end to the operation – remain undefined.

Iran responds to Trump’s 15-point ultimatum – media

Western media outlets had previously reported that the US has been trying to establish a one-month ceasefire mechanism with Iran and that US President Donald Trump has been seeking an off-ramp from the war and has sent Tehran a 15-point plan to end the conflict.

At the same time, the White House has threatened to “unleash hell” on Tehran, as the Pentagon reportedly prepares to deploy thousands of additional troops to the region.

Tehran has reportedly called talks with Washington “illogical” at this point, adding that it seeks a permanent solution and not a temporary ceasefire that has previously led to “backstabbing.”

Here are the latest developments:

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that the hostilities between the US, Israel, and Iran are spiraling out of control, threatening to plunge the world into a broader conflict and a deeper economic crisis.

President Trump claimed the US has already “won” and ongoing diplomatic talks with Iran are the reason why he postponed military strikes on Iranian power plants for five days.
Tehran has denied that talks with the US are taking place, with Iran’s parliamentary speaker saying such claims are “fake news” and are being “used to manipulate financial and oil markets.”

Follow our live coverage below for continuous updates. You can also read our previous updates here.

25 March 2026
21:52 GMT
Iran has issued a warning to an unnamed regional country, alleging that Tehran’s enemies – backed by a local state – are preparing to occupy one of its islands.

“The enemies of Iran, with the backing of a regional country, are preparing to occupy one of the Iranian islands,” Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X, without specifying which island or which country. “If they step out of line, all the vital infrastructure of that regional country will, without restriction, become the target of relentless attacks.”
The warning comes amid growing speculation that US forces could target Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub in the northern Persian Gulf, which processes 90% of the country’s oil exports. US bombers struck military facilities on the island last week but stopped short of targeting its oil infrastructure.
Concerns over a potential ground operation have intensified following reports that the Pentagon is preparing to deploy 2,000 additional troops from an airborne assault unit to the region.
21:45 GMT
US Central Command released its fifth update on Operation Epic Fury with Commander Adm. Brad Cooper claiming the four-week campaign remains “on plan or ahead of plan” in achieving what he described as “very clear military objectives.”
Cooper announced that US forces have struck more than 10,000 Iranian targets, destroyed 92% of the Iranian Navy’s largest vessels, and damaged over two-thirds of Iran’s missile, drone, and naval production facilities. Drone and missile launch rates, he said, are down by more than 90%.
“We are on a path to completely eliminate Iran’s wider military manufacturing apparatus,” Cooper said, adding that US forces maintain air superiority over Iranian skies with more than 10,000 combat flights flown.