US says Iranian navy destroyed amid escalating regional tensions

The White House said US forces have “completely destroyed” the naval capabilities of Iran, adding that Iranian missile and drone attacks have dropped by at least 90 percent following a series of strikes.

In a military and political statement, Washington said recent Iranian attacks on neighboring countries including Kuwait and Bahrain demonstrate the need to continue the operation to eliminate what it described as Tehran’s threat to the region.

Ground intervention still under review

The White House said deploying US troops inside Iran is “not part of the current operational plan.” However, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, is “considering all options” while assessing the results of ongoing air and naval strikes before deciding the next phase.

Read more: US & ‘Israel’ at war with Iran | Day 9 coverage

The announcement came hours after Iranian officials claimed they destroyed four radars belonging to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. It also followed a report by The New York Times suggesting Iran still retains roughly half of its military arsenal.

The White House rejected those claims, saying Iran’s naval forces had been crushed in operations across the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

International response

The developments come alongside new international moves linked to the conflict. France has reportedly deployed the aircraft carrier French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to reinforce security in the Mediterranean following an attack near Cyprus.

Meanwhile, Australia has received security requests from Gulf states and expressed political support for the military campaign.

Iran, for its part, is attempting to stabilize its leadership structure, with officials saying the name of a new supreme leader could be announced “very soon,” amid US expectations that internal divisions may deepen.