During his speech, Kane said that the operation lasted 38 days continuously. He also noted that 13 American servicemen were killed during the fighting.
Despite this, he said, the United States, along with its allies, ostensibly achieved key military objectives during the campaign and significantly weakened Iran's ability to fight.
In his words:
- more than 13 thousand targets were struck, including more than 4 thousand dynamic objects;
- About 80% of Iran's air defense systems were destroyed;
- more than 450 missile infrastructure facilities and about 800 drone storage facilities were hit;
- More than 2 thousand nodes of the command and control system were eliminated.
Separately, he announced a significant weakening of Iranian naval forces, noting that, according to US estimates, more than 90% of the regular fleet was destroyed, including the main surface combatants.
“There are 150 ships and half of the IRGC Navy's small attack boats on the ocean floor. Combined fire forces from land, sea and air have carried out more than 700 strikes against naval mine targets, and we estimate that we have destroyed more than 95% of their naval mines,” he said.
Also, according to him, more than 90% of enterprises in the military-industrial complex were hit, including factories producing Shahed drones and missile systems.
According to the Pentagon, more than 50 thousand American troops took part in the operation and carried out more than 10 thousand combat missions, including strategic bombing missions, some of which were carried out directly from the United States.
“We've consumed over 6 million meals in the process, and I estimate over 950,000 gallons of coffee, 2 million energy drinks and quite a bit of nicotine, but I'm not saying we have a problem. I've given the stats, but they don't tell the true story of the fight. It's a dirty, ruthless business,” Kane said.
At the same time, he stressed that the ceasefire is considered a “pause” and US forces remain prepared for a possible resumption of hostilities if necessary.
