TAMPA, Fla. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Tampa on Thursday for a briefing at United States Central Command headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base, where military leaders are overseeing many U.S. operations in Iran and the Middle East.
The visit comes as the United States continues Operation Epic Fury, a military campaign targeting Iran’s military infrastructure.
WATCH: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gave update on Iran conflict at MacDill AFB in Tampa
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gave update on Iran conflict at MacDill AFB in Tampa
Hegseth praised the service members working at CENTCOM after touring the command’s tactical operations center.
“I had a chance to go into the control room, into the tactical operations center, go see these young men and women that are doing this, the dedication that they show at every level, the way that they’ve refined their craft,” Hegseth said.
The defense secretary also credited Donald Trump for taking a more aggressive approach toward Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Watch full press conference with Sec. Hegseth
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gave update on Iran conflict at MacDill AFB in Tampa
“After 47 years, he is doing something no other president has been willing to do,” Hegseth said.
During the briefing, CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper said U.S. forces have sharply increased the pace of strikes inside Iran.
In just the past several days, American bombers have struck more than 200 targets, including deeply buried missile launch sites.
“We are at full speed ahead,” Cooper said. “We are fighting to win.”
WFTS
The United States and partner forces launched Operation Epic Fury on February 28, targeting what officials describe as Iran’s security apparatus and facilities believed to pose imminent threats.
According to CENTCOM, more than 2,000 strikes have been carried out in the first four days of the campaign using precision munitions launched from air, land and sea.
During the briefing in Tampa, CENTCOM commander Brad Cooper said Iran has now launched attacks against 12 countries since the conflict began, targeting locations where it believes U.S. or allied interests are present. Hegseth said those strikes are pushing more nations in the region to work more closely with the United States.
“You see, there’s no shortage of American will here,” Hegseth said of the conflict. “We’ve got no shortage of munitions. Our stockpiles of defense and offensive weapons allow us to sustain this campaign as long as we need to.”
Outside the gates of MacDill Air Force Base, two protesters waved Iranian and American flags while expressing support for the Trump Administration’s actions in Iran.
The Tampa residents, who said they have ties to Iran, told Tampa Bay 28 they hope increased pressure on the Iranian government could eventually lead to a democratic government in the country. They said many people inside Iran oppose the current regime but are waiting for the right moment to rise up.
“My friends from Iran, they all call me, and they’re saying, yes, we’re terrified, but we’re hopeful for a better future,” said Maz Foroutan.
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