Korean Media: US Says "Will Soon Control Iranian Airspace and Waterways... Strike Infrastructure Again in 24-48 Hours"
¬ U.S. Defense Secretary and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Hold Joint Press Conference: "To Eliminate the Leader of the Secret Iranian Organization That Attempted to Assassinate Trump" … Said "This Is a 'Full Signal' to North Korea, Which Criticized [Violation of Sovereignty']"
On the 4th, regarding Iran's military operation named "Epic Fury," U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, "We are currently in the early stages of the operation, more troops and firepower are arriving. We will ensure the success of the operation at any cost, as President Donald Trump announced. The operation has only been going for three days, and the U.S. military is achieving victory in a destructive and ruthless manner under the president's command. We have eliminated the leader of the organization that attempted to assassinate the U.S. president in 2024." Regarding the fact that six U.S. personnel were killed on the fourth day of the operation, Hegseth said, "There is no doubt that we will take revenge." Regarding North Korea, which criticized the U.S. attack on Iran as a "despicable violation of sovereignty," he said, "We will deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions, which will be a full signal."
On the same day, Hegseth held a joint press conference with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Kean at the Pentagon building, saying, "We have complete control over Iranian airspace and waterways without deploying ground forces. The battle has just begun." Trump stated that the initial phase of the operation would last 4-5 weeks, but then he said, "We have the capability to extend it for a longer time. It doesn't matter how long it takes." This indicated that the operation might be prolonged. Hegseth said, "U.S. fighter jets will use precision-guided bombs and unguided bombs weighing 500-2,000 pounds, which are almost infinitely available. We can fight continuously as needed. Although the operation has only been going for four days, the results are remarkable, even historically significant. Within a few days, we will have complete air control without any obstacles."
Kean said, "The Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for this operation, is conducting large-scale planned strikes using long-range weapons beyond enemy range on the fourth day of the operation. We are shifting from using long-range weapons to close-range precision strike weapons such as Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM). We have precisely identified the points that will yield the maximum strategic effect. So far, we have struck over 2,000 targets, sinking more than 20 Iranian naval vessels, including one submarine. In the next 24-48 hours, CENTCOM will continue to strike Iran's infrastructure and naval capabilities. Compared to the first day of the war, the number of ballistic missile launches by Iran has decreased by 86%, and the number of one-time attack drone launches has decreased by 73%."
The U.S. sank an Iranian navy frigate using torpedoes launched from a submarine in the Indian Ocean, marking the first time since World War II that the U.S. submarine has fired torpedoes at an enemy ship in combat. Hegseth said, "Iranian warships, which were considered safe in international waters, were sunk by torpedoes fired from U.S. submarines." Kean said, "We immediately sank the enemy ship with torpedoes, sending it to the bottom of the sea, which is an amazing example of the U.S. global operational range. Only the United States can carry out operations of this scale, tracking and eliminating enemies outside the combat zone."
Source: Chosun Ilbo
Original: toutiao.com/article/1858851182282752/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author."