Hegseth declares US and Israel poised for 'complete control' of Iranian skies

WASHINGTON, DC: The United States and Israel are on track to achieve "complete control" of Iranian skies in "under a week," according to a bold projection from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Pentagon briefing on Wednesday, March 4.

Hegseth described the collaborative effort between the "two most powerful air forces in the world" as a mission that will soon result in "uncontested air space" over the entirety of the Iranian territory.

The Secretary warned that once this dominance is established, US and Israeli forces will fly "day and night" to find and finish the Iranian military's defense industrial base.

"Iranian leaders looking up and seeing only U.S. and Israeli air power... every minute of every day until we decide it’s over," Hegseth stated, adding that the regime will be "able to do nothing about it."

Uncontested air superiority in under week

The current trajectory of Operation Epic Fury is leading toward a state where Iranian air defenses are non-functional.

This level of control will allow the military to "find, fix and finish" not only missile sites but also the leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Hegseth noted that flying over the capital, Tehran, would become a constant reality of the campaign.

The upcoming phase is being framed as a total immobilization of the adversary's defensive capabilities.

By achieving air dominance, the US intends to maintain a persistent presence over Iranian strategic hubs to ensure the regime remains under observation and under fire.

Enemy unable to sustain missile volume

The Iranian military has already suffered significant degradation in its offensive capacity. Hegseth noted that the regime "can no longer shoot the volume of missiles they once did," stating the current capacity is "not even close" to previous levels. This reduction in volume allows the U.S. to sustain the fight "easily for as long as we need to."

America sets the fight's tempo

The U.S. remains firmly in charge of the "tone and tempo" of the conflict. There are no fixed deadlines for the operation, as the duration depends entirely on President Trump’s desire to achieve specific effects. Whether the campaign lasts three weeks or eight, the U.S. will dictate the pace.

The "throttle is going up" and will remain on high throughout the engagement. The current state of the war is being characterized as just the beginning, with the underlying principle that "America fights to win."

Israel remains a steadfast force multiplier

Praising the "unmatched skill and iron determination" of the Israeli Defense Forces, the Pentagon described the partnership as a true "force multiplier". Hegseth called the opportunity to fight shoulder to shoulder with such a capable ally a "breath of fresh air."

The Secretary saluted the courage of Israeli contributors, noting that their mission is being executed alongside US forces to ensure Operation Epic Fury achieves its ultimate goals. The joint force is only just beginning to fight.