US Vows Deeper Strikes Into Iran as Regional Conflict Escalates

The United States says it will begin striking “progressively deeper” into Iranian territory as military operations expand across the region.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine said the next phase of operations will target deeper areas inside Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cautioned that it is still “very early” in the campaign against Tehran.

According to US officials, a US submarine torpedoed an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. In a separate development, NATO air defense systems intercepted an Iranian missile that was traveling through Iraqi and Syrian airspace toward Turkey.

The White House said deploying US ground troops in Iran is “not part of the plan at this time,” though officials emphasized that no military options are being ruled out.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the primary objectives of President Donald Trump’s operation are to dismantle Iran’s navy, missile and nuclear programs, and prevent Tehran from supporting proxy groups. She indicated that while regime change is not the stated goal, the removal of Iranian leaders would be viewed as a positive outcome.

Meanwhile, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that more than 1,000 people have been killed in Iran since the conflict began.

The US has closed embassies in three countries, reduced diplomatic staff in the region, and urged Americans to leave. The United Arab Emirates said it has opened safe air corridors with neighboring states as governments scramble to evacuate their nationals.