HIGHPOLITICAL
Hegseth: Strikes About to Surge Dramatically; IDF Signals New Phase
·Washington DC
US Defense Secretary Hegseth states strikes are about to surge dramatically. Senior Israeli official says campaign going much better than expected. IDF begins new phase with additional surprising moves.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that US-Israeli strikes on Iran are about to surge dramatically, signalling a significant escalation in air operations on Day 7. A senior Israeli official, speaking anonymously to the Times of Israel, described the bombing campaign as going much better than expected, saying nobody could have anticipated such smooth execution given the complexity of coordination and payloads involved. The official described achievements as epic. The IDF simultaneously indicated it has entered a new phase in its bombing campaign, stating it has additional surprising moves in hand. US and Israeli officials confirmed their militaries have essentially seized air superiority over Tehran, having destroyed most of Iran air defences and ballistic missile launchers. Iran meanwhile vowed to continue targeting Gulf countries and US military bases across the region.
Actor responses
Defense Secretary Hegseth: Strikes are about to surge dramatically. We are in the decisive phase of dismantling Iran military capability. The campaign has exceeded all expectations.
The IDF has entered a new phase. We have additional surprising moves in hand. Iran air defences are gone. Our jets fly uncontested over Tehran.
Iran warns that any surge in strikes will be met with escalated retaliation. The Iranian army and IRGC retain operational capacity. The enemy will pay a price for every act of aggression.
Sources