Washington, March 31: The United States has reported that its ongoing military operations against Iran are significantly undermining the country’s armed forces. According to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the morale of the Iranian military is declining, with soldiers fleeing and a shortage of key personnel becoming apparent.
During a press conference at the Pentagon, Hegseth stated that U.S. attacks are continuously impacting the coordination and command structures of the Iranian military. In response to a question, he emphasized, “Intelligence is clear… the strikes are damaging the morale of the Iranian forces, leading to mass desertions, a shortage of critical personnel, and growing frustration among senior leaders.”
He noted that U.S. forces have destroyed key command bunkers, making it increasingly difficult for Iranian leaders to operate under challenging conditions. Recently, another command bunker was destroyed, leaving them without water, electricity, oxygen, or effective command and control.
On an operational level, the Pentagon reported that U.S. forces conducted attacks on over 11,000 targets last month, focusing on missile systems, naval assets, and defense infrastructure.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Keen stated that the objective of this campaign is to gradually diminish Iran’s ability to project power beyond its borders. He added, “We continue to carry out precise strikes against key manufacturing centers, parts storage sites, and research facilities.”
U.S. officials indicated that the combination of sustained attacks and pressure on supply chains is limiting Iran’s capacity to rebuild its military capabilities. The Pentagon suggested that targeting Iran’s defense industrial base will have long-term effects, reducing its ability to regenerate weapon systems over time.