In a significant development, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that the United States and Israel are poised to achieve full control of the skies over Iran in the coming days. He stated that the military operations commenced the previous night, emphasizing the capability of the two nations’ air forces to dominate the region. Hegseth expressed confidence that Iran would struggle to endure the pressure from this coordinated military effort.
Stating that the strategic operations would redefine the combat dynamics, Hegseth remarked, “Iran cannot outlast us.” He highlighted the intention to set the operational tempo and tone for the ongoing conflict, dismissing narratives that suggest limitations to their actions. He added that the only constraint is the desire of US President Donald Trump to achieve specific strategic outcomes that serve American interests.
Hegseth referred to the military campaign as “Operation Epic Fury,” describing it as highly targeted. The operation aims to dismantle Iran’s missile warfare capabilities, drone systems, naval resources, and other critical military infrastructure. He asserted a determination that Iran would not acquire nuclear weapons in the future.
Operation Epic Fury
According to Hegseth, the airpower deployed during Operation Epic Fury is equivalent to twice the intensity of the 2003 “Shock and Awe” campaign in Iraq, albeit without the aspect of nation-building that characterized that operation. Expressing confidence in the ongoing military efforts, he stated, “We are just getting started.”
Joining Hegseth, General Dan Caine provided an update on the operational progress, noting a significant reduction in Iran’s theater ballistic missile launches. He reported that there has been an 86 percent decrease in missile shots since the commencement of strikes, with a 23 percent reduction occurring in the last 24 hours. Additionally, incidents involving one-way attack drones have dropped by 73 percent since the initial stages of the operation.
Impact of Operation Epic Fury
The impact of the bombardments has been severe in various Iranian locations. Cities such as Karaj, located to the west of Tehran, along with Isfahan, have faced substantial aerial assaults. Reports indicate the risk of casualties, including among civilians, in the affected areas. Initial reports detail that approximately twenty educational institutions have sustained damage during these attacks.