U.S. forces have hit over 1,700 targets in Iran
including 300 new sites — while adding B-1 Lancer and B-52 Stratofortress bombers to the air attack, U.S. Central Command reported Tuesday morning.President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Monday that the attacks could last for at least several weeks, and no end date was currently in the plans. Additional aircraft, weapons and troops were being sent to the conflict.
The Pentagon has confirmed that six Americans have been killed.
The attack update from U.S. Central Command showed that B-1 Lancers and B-52 Stratofortress bombers had taken part in attacks, joining previous missions flown by B-2 Spirits. The B-2 missions were flown on 37-hour round-trip missions from bases in the United States and used aerial refueling.
The B-1 is a supersonic bomber that specializes in low-altitude attacks. The B-52s are four-engine heavy bombers that were built in the 1960s. They primarily use “stand-off” weapons that can be launched from a distance beyond anti-aircraft fire.
The U.S. is using F-15E Strike Eagle II, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II fighters; A-10 Thunderbolt ground attack; and EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft, Central Command said.
Targets have included command and control, headquarters, air defense sites, ballistic missile sites, anti-ship missile sites and communications centers. U.S. officials have said eight Iranian ships have been sunk.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran on Monday that the U.S. planned to ratchet up the attacks. “The hardest hits are yet to come,” he said.
