Pentagon: Over 15,000 Iran targets struck as U.S. says missile and drone activity has plunged
Mar 13th 2026
At a Pentagon briefing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined the impact of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, citing large target counts and steep drops in Iranian missile and drone activity while investigations continue into a deadly school strike and a refueling plane crash.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said U.S. and Israeli strikes have hit more than 15,000 enemy targets, averaging over 1,000 per day since Feb. 28.
- Hegseth claimed Iran's missile volume is down 90% and its drone activity is down 95% following the strikes.
- The U.S. military confirmed all six airmen aboard a KC-135 refueling plane that crashed in Iraq have died.
- Hegseth said Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is likely wounded and disfigured but did not provide evidence for that claim.
- Hegseth said stopping Iran's nuclear weapons program remains a core mission and that the U.S. is considering a range of options.
- Hegseth said there is no clear evidence Iran is placing new mines in the Strait of Hormuz, while U.S. forces say they have taken out mine-laying vessels.
- U.S. Central Command named an officer from outside the command to lead an investigation into a strike on an Iranian elementary school that reportedly killed more than 165 people.