The Pentagon has now officially confirmed that U.S. forces have achieved “local air superiority” over Iran after the opening stages of the joint U.S.–Israeli campaign, a major milestone in the most decisive offensive against the regime in decades.
President Donald Trump told CNN that “the big wave hasn’t even happened yet,” warning that the most significant phase of the military operation remains impending as U.S. and allied strikes continue.
U.S. Air Dominance Takes Hold
Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed the establishment of local air superiority over Iranian airspace, a crucial strategic advantage that allows U.S. forces to protect troops, conduct precision strikes, and shrink Tehran’s ability to strike back.
This dominance did not come overnight.
It followed an intense initial barrage targeting Iran’s missile capabilities, naval assets, air defenses, and command infrastructure as part of Operation Epic Fury, the campaign launched under Trump’s orders after years of escalating threats from the theocratic regime.
Downed Jets, But Mission Continues
During these operations, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle jets went down over Kuwait during active combat.
CENTCOM said the incident involved apparent friendly fire from Kuwaiti air defenses amid ongoing regional chaos, and all six aircrew ejected safely and were recovered.
Iran claimed it shot down at least one U.S. jet, a propaganda line routinely issued by Tehran, but there has been no independent confirmation that Iranian systems were responsible for the losses.
What matters on the ground is that U.S. forces maintain control of the skies, the very definition of air superiority.
Trump: “Big Wave” Is Coming
In a message broadcast during the conflict, President Trump reiterated that U.S. forces had hit “hundreds” of targets and that the campaign was “going very well,” but warned that the most powerful phase, the “big wave,” had not yet been unleashed.
He also acknowledged that the conflict might continue for weeks as the military dismantles Tehran’s strategic capabilities, a deadlier, more direct confrontation than anything in the Middle East in generations.
Pentagon Pushes Back Against Endless War Narrative
At a Pentagon briefing, War Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that the United States is conducting strikes in a “surgical, overwhelming, and unapologetic” way, with a clear focus on degrading Iran’s missile, naval, and other security threats, not an open-ended occupation.
Hegseth also reaffirmed there are currently no U.S. ground troops deployed inside Iran, though he stopped short of ruling out any future deployments if mission objectives require it.
“We are ensuring the mission is getting accomplished…
“We would never, in front of a press pool, lay out how long that may take.”
WATCH:
Pete Hegseth declines to give a clear timeline for Trump and Israel's war with Iran:
"Did you not hear my remarks? We are ensuring the mission is getting accomplished… We would never in front of a press pool, lay out how long that may take." pic.twitter.com/BuWJhDTDbU
— The American Conservative (@amconmag) March 2, 2026
Casualties Confirmed, But Resolve Stands
CENTCOM has acknowledged American casualties: at least three service members killed and five seriously wounded so far in the campaign.
Trump has pledged that U.S. forces will continue until objectives are met and stressed that more losses, while regrettable, may occur.
This hard, and highly strategic posture from the administration reflects a broader shift in U.S. military policy after years of defensive posturing in the region.
What’s Next
With local air superiority secured, the U.S. is positioned to:
• Continue precision strikes against Iran’s missile and drone infrastructure
• Target naval assets that threaten regional stability
• Support Israel as Tehran’s proxies escalate retaliation
Trump’s warning that the “big wave” of attacks is still coming suggests that this conflict is entering its most consequential phase yet.
The next phase is one that could reshape Middle East strategic balances for decades.
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