Iran Pledges Unyielding Fight for ‘Complete Victory’ Amid Significant Military Setbacks

In a bold statement on Tuesday, an Iranian military spokesperson declared that Tehran’s armed forces are committed to fighting “until complete victory,” despite enduring significant setbacks from a collaborative campaign led by the U.S. and Israel.

Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, representing Iran’s premier military command, the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, delivered this message following President Donald Trump’s decision to halt imminent U.S. strikes against Iran on Monday, highlighting emerging diplomatic opportunities.

The Associated Press reported that Iranian state media quoted Aliabadi emphasizing the resilience and pride of Iran’s military forces in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty, though he did not specify what “complete victory” entails.

Since February 28, Operation Epic Fury has inflicted extensive damage on Iran’s naval capabilities, with over 140 vessels either destroyed or impaired, according to U.S. Central Command. The operation has seen more than 9,000 combat flights conducted thus far.

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U.S. forces struck 16 mine-laying Iranian ships on March 10, according to CENTCOM. (U.S. Central Command/X)

“CENTCOM forces are striking targets to dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritizing locations that pose an imminent threat,” CENTCOM said. 

Targeted assets include Iranian navy ships and submarines, air defense systems, anti-ship missile sites, military communication infrastructure and facilities involved in ballistic missile and drone manufacturing. 

On Friday, Trump, speaking about Iran, said, “Their Navy’s gone, their Air Force is gone, their anti-aircraft is all gone.” 

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Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed at the beginning of Operation Epic Fury. (Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran via Getty Images)

“Their leaders are all gone. The next set of leaders are all gone. And the next set of leaders are mostly gone,” Trump continued. “And now, nobody wants to be a leader over there anymore. We’re having a hard time. We want to talk to them and there’s nobody to talk to.” 

Trump also said, “Over the past few weeks, the world has seen the true strength and might of our sailors and aviators as they fought in one of the most complex and successful military operations of all time against the Iranian regime.”  

A U.S. sailor signals the launch of an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford while supporting Operation Epic Fury at sea on Feb. 28. (U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

“And it’s amazing… I don’t want to get too crazy here, not a contest. It’s not even a contest. They do whatever they want,” Trump said.