White House Messaging Falters As War Aims Clash Over Iran

On Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined four objectives for the Iran operation, saying they aim to destroy Iran's air force, navy, missile-launching capabilities and military factories.

President Donald Trump has said some objectives have been met and posted that the U.S. is in "serious" talks with a "new, and more reasonable, regime" in Iran while threatening to "obliterate" energy infrastructure.

Critics and analysts called the administration's messaging incoherent and inconsistent, and CNN anchor Jake Tapper questioned the strategy as "remarkably vague and impulsive," according to reporting.

CENTCOM said the campaign has involved more than 11,000 strikes and combat flights and damaged more than 150 Iranian vessels, while the Pentagon reportedly is considering sending about 10,000 more ground troops.

U.S. forces continue to deploy, including the USS Tripoli's arrival in CENTCOM's area on March 27, and officials said options aim to end the campaign in "weeks" if negotiations succeed.