Hegseth says Iran war is 'quite contained,' but warns of 'most intense day of strikes' ahead | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran is "quite contained," rejecting the notion that it is expanding, while warning of the "most intense day of strikes" in Iran ahead. The Pentagon chief pointed out that an intense military campaign against the Islamic Republic will proceed on Tuesday, as the U.S. military is pushing to ensure that Tehran will not have any nuclear weapons. "Today will be yet again our most intense day of strikes inside Iran -- the most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes," he said. He expressed his confidence that America is winning in the war. "Iran stands alone, and they are badly losing on Day 10 of Operation Epic Fury," he said. "We are winning with an overwhelming and unrelenting focus on our objectives." Hegseth also reiterated that the operation against Iran will not be an "endless" one. "This is not 2003. Korea to receive over 6 mln barrels of crude oil from UAE: Cheong Wa Dae Lee says to swiftly introduce fuel price cap as Mideast crisis intensifies prev Hegseth says Iran war is 'quite contained,' but warns of 'most intense day of strikes' ahead Next Hegseth says Iran war is 'quite contained,' but warns of 'most intense day of strikes' ahead

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By Song Sang-ho
WASHINGTON, March 10 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran is "quite contained," rejecting the notion that it is expanding, while warning of the "most intense day of strikes" in Iran ahead.
Hegseth made the remarks during a press briefing alongside Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, as the U.S. military operation, codenamed "Operation Epic Fury," entered its 11th day, seeking to destroy Iran's missile capabilities and its Navy, and sever its pathway to nuclear arms.
"I think it's worth underscoring. I see in the media banners that say war expanding or war spread. It's actually the opposite. It's actually quite contained," he said.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon near Washington on March 10, 2026. (Yonhap)
His remarks came a day after President Donald Trump said the ongoing war against Iran will end "very soon," though it will not be over this week.
The Pentagon chief pointed out that an intense military campaign against the Islamic Republic will proceed on Tuesday, as the U.S. military is pushing to ensure that Tehran will not have any nuclear weapons.
"Today will be yet again our most intense day of strikes inside Iran -- the most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes," he said.
He highlighted that the U.S. will not relent "until the enemy is totally and decisively defeated."
"But we do so on our timeline and at our choosing," he said.
He expressed his confidence that America is winning in the war.
"Iran stands alone, and they are badly losing on Day 10 of Operation Epic Fury," he said. "We are winning with an overwhelming and unrelenting focus on our objectives."
Hegseth also reiterated that the operation against Iran will not be an "endless" one.
"This is not 2003. This is not endless nation building under those types of quagmires we saw under Bush or Obama. It's not even close," he said, referring to former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
"Our generation of soldier will not let that happen again, and nor will this president, who very clearly ran against those kinds of never ending, nebulously scoped missions. Those days are dead."
The top U.S. general reported "substantial progress" toward destroying Iran's Navy in the first 10 days of the conflict, noting that the U.S. military has sunk or destroyed more than 50 Iranian naval ships.
But he warned that the combat operation will continue to be "difficult."
"I ask every American to keep our deployed force and their families and our thoughts," he said. "Combat deployments can be tough on the force and the families, and it's important that we continue to remember that."
The U.S. military has reported seven combat fatalities, while the Iranian media reported more than 1,200 Iranian deaths.
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon near Washington on March 10, 2026. (Yonhap)
sshluck@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Hegseth says Iran war is 'quite contained,' but warns of 'most intense day of strikes' ahead

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Those days are dead." The top U.S. general reported "substantial progress" toward destroying Iran's Navy in the first 10 days of the conflict, noting that the U.S. military has sunk or destroyed more than 50 Iranian naval ships.
- But he warned that the combat operation will continue to be "difficult." "I ask every American to keep our deployed force and their families and our thoughts," he said. "Combat deployments can be tough on the force and the families, and it's important that we continue to remember that." The U.S. military has reported seven combat fatalities, while the Iranian media reported more than 1,200 Iranian deaths.

### Areas for Consideration
- But he warned that the combat operation will continue to be "difficult." "I ask every American to keep our deployed force and their families and our thoughts," he said. "Combat deployments can be tough on the force and the families, and it's important that we continue to remember that." The U.S. military has reported seven combat fatalities, while the Iranian media reported more than 1,200 Iranian deaths.
- Dan Caine speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon near Washington on March 10, 2026. (Yonhap) sshluck@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #Pentagon Articles with issue keywords Most Liked U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation (News Focus) Topping 10 mln, 'The King's Warden' offers rare boost to Korean cinema (News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers BTS unveils 14-song track list for comeback album 'Arirang' BTS expands Gwanghwamun concert capacity to 22,000 with added standing zones Most Saved (News Focus) How 'The King's Warden' captured 10 mln Korean viewers (News Focus) Topping 10 mln, 'The King's Warden' offers rare boost to Korean cinema U.S. transport aircraft spotted departing Osan Air Base amid Patriot relocation speculation (LEAD) S.

### Implications
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon near Washington on March 10, 2026. (Yonhap) His remarks came a day after President Donald Trump said the ongoing war against Iran will end "very soon," though it will not be over this week.
- The Pentagon chief pointed out that an intense military campaign against the Islamic Republic will proceed on Tuesday, as the U.S. military is pushing to ensure that Tehran will not have any nuclear weapons. "Today will be yet again our most intense day of strikes inside Iran -- the most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes," he said.
- He highlighted that the U.S. will not relent "until the enemy is totally and decisively defeated." "But we do so on our timeline and at our choosing," he said.
- He expressed his confidence that America is winning in the war. "Iran stands alone, and they are badly losing on Day 10 of Operation Epic Fury," he said. "We are winning with an overwhelming and unrelenting focus on our objectives." Hegseth also reiterated that the operation against Iran will not be an "endless" one. "This is not 2003.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers iran, hegseth, war topics. Notable strengths include discussion of iran. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 689.