US Military Strikes Over 5,000 Targets in First 10 Days of War with Iran

Top US General Says Iran's Military Resistance Not Tougher Than Expected

Mar. 10, 2026 at 5:03pm

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The US military has struck more than 5,000 targets in the first 10 days of Operation Epic Freedom against Iran, according to US Central Command. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that while Iran is fighting back, their military is not proving to be more formidable than US planners expected. Caine noted that over 50 Iranian naval vessels have been damaged or destroyed so far in the conflict.

Why it matters

The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has significant geopolitical and economic implications, as Iran has threatened to disrupt global oil shipments through the critical Strait of Hormuz. The US is working to dismantle Iran's military capabilities to prevent further escalation and protect international trade routes.

The details

According to Gen. Caine, the US military has struck over 5,000 targets in Iran in the first 10 days of the conflict. This includes the destruction or damage of more than 50 Iranian naval vessels. Iran has relied heavily on missile and drone attacks to retaliate against the US and its ally Israel, but most of these have been intercepted. However, Iran has managed to land some successful strikes, including one that killed 6 US servicemembers in Kuwait and another that killed an American soldier in Saudi Arabia.

  • The US-led operation against Iran, dubbed 'Operation Epic Freedom', began on March 1, 2026.
  • In the first 10 days of the conflict, the US military has struck over 5,000 targets in Iran.
  • On March 14, 2026, US War Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US would carry out its most intense day of strikes against Iran yet.

The players

Gen. Dan Caine

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Pete Hegseth

US War Secretary.

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What they’re saying

“I think they're fighting, ​and I respect that, but I don't think they're more formidable than what we ‌thought.”

— Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint ​Chiefs of Staff

What’s next

The US is considering taking on the duty of escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global trade route that Iran has threatened to disrupt.

The takeaway

While Iran is putting up stiff resistance, the US military appears to be making significant progress in dismantling Iran's military capabilities in the early stages of the conflict. However, the situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation and disruption to global oil supplies.