In a major update on the escalating US-Iran conflict, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine has revealed that American forces have destroyed or severely damaged more than 150 Iranian naval vessels, effectively rendering Iran’s navy combat ineffective.
The statement highlights the intensity of Operation Epic Fury and US efforts to secure key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes.
Broader Context of US Strikes on Iran
The naval campaign is part of a larger operation that has struck over 5,000 targets across Iran, significantly degrading ballistic missile capabilities (down ~90%) and one-way attack drones (down ~83%). US forces, often in coordination with regional partners and Israel, have targeted command infrastructure, drone factories, and missile sites while maintaining pressure on naval assets.
The goal, according to officials, is to prevent Iran from projecting power beyond its borders, protect international shipping, and counter threats from Iranian proxies and mine-laying operations in critical chokepoints.