The United States signaled a major escalation in its military campaign against Iran after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that a new phase of operations would bring the most intense wave of strikes carried out so far in the conflict.

Speaking during a Pentagon briefing, Hegseth said Tuesday would see the largest concentration of American airpower deployed against Iranian targets since the start of the war.

The operation would involve the greatest number of fighter aircraft, bombers and coordinated strikes yet conducted as the United States and its partners press forward with their campaign.

The announcement came as Washington continued a sustained effort to degrade Iran’s missile capabilities, naval forces and military infrastructure.

Pentagon officials say the campaign is focused on dismantling Iran’s ability to threaten regional security and preventing the regime from advancing toward nuclear weapons capability.

U.S. commanders reported that Iranian missile launches had already begun to decline compared with earlier stages of the conflict, suggesting that repeated strikes on launch sites and weapons infrastructure were affecting Tehran’s operational capacity.

Military leaders say the expanding air campaign has targeted a wide range of sites across Iran, including missile launchers, drone production facilities and naval assets used to disrupt international shipping routes.

Hundreds of targets have been struck since the conflict began, with American forces maintaining air superiority over key areas of operation.

The campaign has also included deployments of additional strategic aircraft, including long-range bombers operating from allied bases, allowing U.S. forces to conduct deeper and more sustained attacks against hardened targets.

The conflict between Iran and the United States has rapidly intensified in recent days, drawing global attention because of its potential implications for energy markets, maritime trade and regional stability across the Middle East.

Despite the growing scale of the air operations, U.S. officials have emphasized that the campaign is designed to achieve specific military objectives rather than evolve into a prolonged occupation.

Hegseth said the timeline and scope of operations would ultimately be determined by President Donald Trump as the administration evaluates progress toward its strategic goals.

As the war enters what officials describe as a decisive stage, Washington continues to coordinate closely with regional allies while warning Tehran that continued escalation will be met with overwhelming force.