US has no intention of easing strikes on Iran, official says

The US military has no plans to scale back its strikes on Iran following the sweeping operation launched over the weekend targeting the country’s leadership, a US military official said.

“We did say overwhelming, and we meant it,” Capt. Tim Hawkins, spokesman for US Central Command (CENTCOM), told Al Arabiya English.

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CENTCOM, which oversees US military operations in the Middle East, said Saturday that President Donald Trump ordered the campaign, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, to defend Americans by eliminating threats posed by the Iranian regime.

“The President ordered bold action. CENTCOM forces are delivering an overwhelming and unrelenting blow,” the command said in a post on X.

The operation targeted and killed senior Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who had led the country for 36 years.

B-2 stealth bombers were used to destroy underground ballistic missile storage areas in Iran, a US official told Al Arabiya English. The bombers flew from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri but did not use the 30,000-lb GBU employed in last year’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

CENTCOM announced on Sunday that it had carried out strikes against over 1,000 Iranian targets so far, including the destruction of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) force headquarters. Others targets hit and destroyed were: Command and Control Centers; IRGC Joint Headquarters; IRGC Aerospace Forces Headquarters; Integrated Air Defense Systems; Ballistic Missile Sites; Iranian Navy Ships; Iranian Navy Submarines; Anti-ship Missile Sites; Military Communication Capabilities.

At least three American service members were killed and several others seriously wounded in Iranian retaliatory attacks on targets across the Middle East, according to US officials. More casualties are expected to be announced in the coming days.

Some current and former officials have raised concerns about US weapons stockpiles and the pace at which munitions are being expended.

Gen. Joseph Votel, a former CENTCOM commander, said he believes the military has sufficient resources to sustain operations for as long as necessary.

“ I think the US Military is prepared to continue its operations as long as they are directed and I suspect these have the resources required to do this, ” Votel told Al Arabiya English. “Ultimately, our political leadership will make the determination on how it will last.”

Tehran has struck both civilian and military sites in multiple Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as well as in Israel and at a British base in Cyprus.

First global trading day

Monday marks the first global trading day since the launch of the operation, with markets bracing for volatility amid fears of further escalation.

CNN reported that US officials are preparing for possible suicide attacks and other retaliatory strikes against Americans overseas. Security has been heightened at US facilities worldwide.

The State Department has issued a worldwide caution advising US citizens to remain vigilant. Several US embassies in the Gulf and broader Middle East have authorized the departure of non-essential personnel and family members.

US increases security measures at home

In Washington, additional security measures are expected, including at the US Capitol, according to media reports.

The secretary of the Department of Homeland Security said she was in contact with federal intelligence and law enforcement partners to closely monitor and thwart any potential threats to the homeland.

The FBI chief said he had instructed counterterrorism and intelligence teams to remain on high alert and to mobilize all necessary security assets.

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