As the U.S. enters its second week of war in Iran, U.S. military officials and sources say forces are preparing for a longer campaign. The Pentagon has moved more bombers into the region and a third aircraft carrier strike group is reported to be primed for deployment, adding to carriers already conducting strikes. Officials say more B-1 bombers have been sent to the Middle East.
Fresh airstrikes have struck targets including the Iranian capital and an airfield in Isfahan. U.S. Central Command sources say American missiles struck roughly 3,000 targets in the past week. The campaign, which U.S. leaders have described as intensifying and expanding, is operating alongside Israeli strikes. Iran’s leadership has shown resilience: despite heavy damage and casualties, Tehran remains in control and is responding with attacks beyond its borders.
The U.S. operation, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, now involves about 50,000 U.S. military personnel, U.S. officials say. Iran says it has been hit at thousands of sites and has pushed retaliatory strikes and regional pressure. Tehran’s president called surrender a “dream America should take to its grave” while signaling a limited pause in strikes against Gulf states unless those countries attack Iran.
President Trump, in public posts, described Iran as losing in the region and warned Iran could be “hit very hard,” saying additional areas and groups are “under serious consideration.” The White House and military officials have signaled willingness to widen attacks on Iranian military and infrastructure targets.
Regional tensions have spread: explosions were reported near Dubai’s main airport and nearby Bahrain — home to a major U.S. naval base — also reported attacks. U.S. carriers the Ford and the Lincoln have been central to recent strikes, and the USS George H.W. Bush is reported to be steaming toward the region to join them.
Families have been mourning U.S. service members killed in the conflict; the president met grieving relatives as the first remains returned to the United States. The State Department says more than 28,000 Americans have left the region since the fighting began. Officials in Israel said they hoped to reopen Ben Gurion airport for limited commercial flights. CBS’s Charlie D’Agata reported from Tel Aviv; Jericka Duncan anchored the U.S. coverage.
