General Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated today at a Pentagon press conference that Strategic Command bombers recently dropped dozens of 2,000-pound (over 900 kg) GPS-guided bunker-buster bombs on deeply buried underground missile launchers along the southern flank. He added, "We also attacked several suicide drone manufacturing facilities to undermine their self-sufficiency capabilities."

During the press conference, both General Caine and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reiterated that destroying Iran's missile launch and production capabilities is a top priority for the US military. General Caine emphasized that the US is targeting Iran's military industrial complex, including its underground facilities.

While General Caine stated that the US is making progress in degrading Iran's missile capabilities, it remains unclear what the Pentagon will do about Iran's underground nuclear facilities, especially those suspected of holding highly enriched uranium.

CNN assessed that destroying Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium cannot be achieved solely through air power. The Trump administration discussed the possibility of using ground forces to seize this material from underground storage sites. Many current and former officials stated that such a mission would require a large-scale ground force.

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the press conference. Photo: CNN

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the press conference. Photo: CNN

General Caine also highlighted that the US is conducting attacks on Iran's mine-laying vessels. He noted that the Pentagon will consider a range of options if tasked with escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to General Caine, Iran is fighting, but not stronger than Washington had assessed. The US conducted attacks on over 5,000 targets during the first 10 days of the campaign in Iran, including over 50 naval vessels.

Secretary of Defense Hegseth stated that 10/3 would mark the most intense airstrikes on Iranian territory. He emphasized that the US would "not relent" until "the enemy is completely and decisively defeated."

"As President Donald Trump has declared, we are crushing the enemy with an overwhelming display of technical skill and military might. But we do so at our own timing and choosing", Hegseth stated.

However, the US Secretary of Defense stressed that President Trump would decide when the war concludes. "The President is elected on behalf of the American people. Therefore, I do not have the authority to make predictions. The President will continue to make that announcement", he said.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks at a press conference on 10/3 at the Pentagon. Photo: CNN

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks at a press conference on 10/3 at the Pentagon. Photo: CNN

During the press conference, Hegseth suggested that Iran's leadership is "desperate and panicked". He also emphasized that Russia should not get involved in the conflict in Iran, following earlier US media reports citing sources that Moscow was providing intelligence to Tehran regarding the location and movement of US troops.

Referring to Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, the US Secretary of Defense suggested that this leader should "heed the advice" of President Trump and "not pursue a nuclear weapons program". When asked about rumors that Mojtaba Khamenei might have been injured in the attacks on Iran, Hegseth stated he could not comment.

The clashes have resulted in over 1,700 deaths across the Middle East, with Iran accounting for over 1,200 fatalities. President Trump indicated that the conflict in Iran would soon end, but Tehran declared that the right to determine the war's outcome rests with them.