US Military Escalates Attacks on Iran, Claims Destruction of Iranian Naval Drone Carrier

The United States military has intensified its operations against Iran, claiming to have successfully attacked and set ablaze the IRIS Shahid Bagheri, an Iranian naval drone carrier. The announcement, made by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on March 6, 2026, comes as part of Operation Epic Fury, launched on February 28, 2026 and a simultaneous Israeli campaign dubbed Operation Roaring Lion.

Operation Epic Fury: A Broad Campaign

Operation Epic Fury commenced with strikes targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. The stated objective is to “dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus” and address locations posing an imminent threat, according to CENTCOM [1].

Destruction of Iranian Drone Carrier

CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated the Iranian drone carrier is approximately the size of a World War II-era aircraft carrier. “As we speak, the ship is on fire,” Cooper said, detailing the condition of the vessel following the attack. [1]

Increased Intensity and Targets

Cooper indicated a growing intensity in U.S. Military attacks targeting the Iranian Navy, claiming that over 30 Iranian ships have been sunk or destroyed to date. Air attacks have also targeted land-based areas, with U.S. Bombers reportedly hitting nearly 200 targets within Iran, including locations in the capital, Tehran, in the past hour. [2]

Impact on Iranian Capabilities

According to Cooper, Iran’s offensive capabilities have been significantly degraded. Ballistic missile attacks have reportedly decreased by 90 percent, while drone attacks have decreased by 83 percent since the start of the conflict. Despite these reductions, CENTCOM remains vigilant. [2]

New Drone Technology in Use

The attacks have included the Pentagon’s first combat use of one-way drones, specifically the Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS), produced by SpektreWorks. These drones, deployed to the Middle East in December 2025, cost approximately $35,000 each, significantly less than the $30 million price tag of a Reaper drone. [2] The technology was reverse-engineered from Iranian Shahed drones. [2]

Targeting Iran’s Industrial Base

The U.S. Military operation has also involved B-2 stealth bombers dropping 2,000-pound bombs on underground ballistic missile launchers and facilities comparable to Space Command in Tehran. This is intended to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten U.S. Interests. President Trump has authorized the military to destroy Iran’s ballistic missile industrial base, aiming to eliminate their capacity for rebuilding. [3]

U.S. Control of the Timeline

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, during a visit to CENTCOM’s MacDill Air Force Base on March 5, 2026, affirmed that the U.S. Is solely controlling the timeline of activities in Iran and will continue to do so “as long as it takes to ensure the United States of America achieves” its objectives. [3] Hegseth indicated that the next goal is to destroy Iran’s missile industry. [3]