The United States and Israel are escalating their air campaign against Iran, with the Pentagon announcing that strikes are 'accelerating' and that the allied forces expect to have complete control of Iranian airspace in less than a week Speaking on Wednesday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Iran's military capabilities are "evaporating by the hour" as the conflict, dubbed 'Operation Epic Fury', enters a more intense phase
US Central Command reported that strategic aircraft, including B-1 and B-52 bombers, have been deployed in long-range strikes, hitting over 2,000 targets across Iran, focusing on ballistic missile facilities and command-and-control infrastructure Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed the US has "effectively neutralized" Iran's naval presence, sinking 20 of its vessels, including a frigate destroyed by a US submarine's torpedo in the Indian Ocean This offensive has reportedly led to an 86% drop in Iranian ballistic missile launches since the war began
The escalation marks a tactical shift, with US forces moving from long-range 'standoff' strikes to more direct engagement within Iranian airspace using fighter jets and a 'nearly unlimited stockpile' of GPS- and laser-guided gravity bombs Officials justified the war by stating that Iran "had no intention of actually negotiating a nuclear deal" Iran has continued to retaliate with drone attacks, which have targeted US diplomatic facilities in Dubai and Saudi Arabia The Pentagon has confirmed that six US service members have been killed in the conflict to date
ISN MEDIA
