US military strikes over 2,000 targets, cripples Iran’s missile and naval power

The United States has said its military campaign against Iran had struck more than 2000 targets and severely degraded Tehranrsquos missile and naval capabilities as the White House defended President Donald Trumprsquos decision to launch Operation Epic FuryWhite House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday local time said the operation launched last weekend was aimed at eliminating Iranrsquos missile threat destroying its naval capacity and preventing the country from acquiring nuclear weaponsldquoUnder the leadership of President Donald J Trump the rogue Iranian terrorist regime is being absolutely crushedrdquo Leavitt told reporters at the White HouseShe said the United States had carried out strikes on ldquomore than 2000 targets destroying hundreds and hundreds of ballistic missiles launchers and dronesrdquoLeavitt said the operation had already crippled Iranrsquos ability to threaten US forces and allies in the region ldquoItrsquos safe to say that thus far Operation Epic Fury has been a resounding successrdquo she saidThe White House said US forces had also inflicted major losses on Iranrsquos naval fleet ldquoWe have destroyed more than 20 Iranian ships including their top submarine last night using a torpedo for the first time since World War IIrdquo Leavitt saidShe added that Iranian naval activity had effectively stopped in key regional waterways ldquoThere is not a single Iranian ship underway in the Arabian Gulf Strait of Hormuz or the Gulf of Omanrdquo she saidAccording to the White House the military campaign has four core objectives destroy Iranrsquos ballistic missile capabilities dismantle its naval forces weaken its regional proxy networks and prevent the country from acquiring nuclear weaponsLeavitt said Iranian missile attacks had dropped sharply since the start of the operation ldquoIf you look at the Iranian ballistic missile launches theyrsquore down 86 per cent from day one levelsrdquo she saidThe White House also said senior Iranian leadership had been heavily targeted during the campaign ldquo49 and counting of the most senior Iranian regime leaders including the supreme leader have already been wiped off the face of the Earthrdquo Leavitt saidShe described the killing of Iranian leaders as necessary to protect the United States and its allies ldquoMake no mistake killing these brutal terrorists is good for America and makes the world a much safer placerdquo she saidThe administration acknowledged that six US service members had been killed during the operation Leavitt said the government was mourning their loss and that President Trump planned to attend the dignified transfer ceremony for the fallen troops ldquoThese heroes represent the very best among usrdquo she saidThe White House also said it was working to evacuate American citizens from the Middle East as the conflict continued ldquoSince the launch of Operation Epic Fury more than 17500 Americans have safely returned home from the Middle Eastrdquo Leavitt said adding that ldquoover 8500 American citizensrdquo had returned to the United States in the previous day aloneAsked whether regime change in Iran was a goal of the operation Leavitt declined to confirm that objective ldquoThe goals of this operation have been made very clearrdquo she said listing the destruction of Iranrsquos missile capabilities naval forces and nuclear ambitionsHowever she added that the United States supported freedom for the Iranian people ldquoAs the president has said numerous times do we want to see Iran being led by a rogue terrorist regime No of course notrdquoThe Strait of Hormuz located between Iran and Oman is one of the worldrsquos most critical energy chokepoints with roughly a fifth of global oil supplies passing through the narrow waterwayThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever