US officials say over 30 Iranian ships destroyed in Operation Epic Fury strikes

War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that U.S. forces had dealt devastating blows to the Iranian military in the early days of Operation Epic Fury, crippling key naval and missile capabilities, while signaling that a larger, more sustained campaign was underway.

Speaking alongside U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper at CENTCOM headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., Hegseth described a rapid operation that has significantly degraded Iran’s ability to threaten U.S. forces and its regional partners as officials work to prevent Tehran from rebuilding its military strength.

“In just a few days of Operation Epic Fury, you and your team carried out devastating and precise strikes, eliminating most of the Iranian Navy, rendering it combat ineffective, neutralizing missile sites and launchers, and establishing total dominance over the skies,” Hegseth told Cooper.

“Our forces are executing with unparalleled skill and the mission is moving forward decisively.”

Cooper detailed the expanding maritime campaign, saying U.S. forces have stepped up strikes against Iranian ships in recent hours, surpassing previously disclosed totals and further weakening Tehran’s ability to project power at sea.

U.S. officials say Operation Epic Fury sank more than 30 Iranian ships, reduced missile launches and moved toward dismantling Tehran’s missile production. (Fox News)

“You may have heard the president say not long ago that we had sunk or destroyed 24 ships. That was true. As of right now, we now have over 30 ships,” Cooper said. “In the last few hours, we hit an Iranian drone carrier the size of a World War II aircraft carrier. And, as we speak, it’s on fire.”

Beyond naval losses, sustained air operations have significantly reduced Iran’s ability to launch retaliatory attacks. U.S. bombers targeted launchers, command infrastructure and air defenses deep within the country in an effort to limit both immediate threats and future strike capability.

“Ballistic missile attacks are down 90% since day one. Drone attacks are down 83% since day one,” Cooper said.

THE RED CROSS SHARES AUDIO OF AN IRANIAN CIVILIAN EXPLAINING THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND IN TEHRAN: “NO RESPUT”

A US submarine sank an Iranian warship in international waters of the Indian Ocean, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed Wednesday. (@DeptofWar/X)

The sharp drop in launches, officials said, reflects both the destruction of key systems and the disruption of Iranian command and control networks, forcing Tehran to go on the defensive as U.S. aircraft continue to operate over the country.

Hegseth made clear the operation was not slowing down, warning that there was significantly more firepower in the region as additional forces and assets were brought online.

“We just started fighting and fighting decisively,” Hegseth said. “The amount of combat power that is still circulating, that is still arriving, that we will be able to project onto Iran is many times what it is now.”

PENTAGON POLITICAL LEADER TOASTED AS DEMS CLAIM TRUMP BROKE PROMISE TO GO TO WAR WITH IRAN

President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday the launch of US strikes against Iran. (Contributor/Getty Images)

He also sought to counter any suggestions that the United States could face supply constraints as the campaign continues, emphasizing both capacity and sustainability.

“Our capabilities are overwhelming and continue to grow, as do those of our Israeli partners,” Hegseth said. “Our ammunition is full and our will is ironclad, which means our timetable is ours and it is up to us to control it for as long as it takes to ensure that the United States of America achieves these goals.”

Cooper confirmed that the mission is entering a new phase aimed at increasing Iran’s long-term missile production capacity, moving from degrading existing stockpiles to preventing their regeneration.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“We’re not just hitting what they have. We’re destroying their ability to rebuild,” Cooper said. “As we move to the next phase of this operation, we will systematically dismantle Iran’s missile production capability for the future.”

Together, these remarks underscored both the extent of the damage already inflicted on the battlefield and the administration’s message that the campaign — supported by additional forces and sustained munitions capacity — is poised to intensify in the days ahead.

Related article