Pentagon says Iranian air defenses have been “significantly degraded”, but admits Tehran still maintains the ability to launch missiles in response to US and Israeli attacks
The United States began flying B-52 bombers over Iranian territory for the first time since the start of the war, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, said on Tuesday (31).
B-52s are seen as more vulnerable targets to air defense systems than agile fighters or radar stealth aircraft. Therefore, the decision to use these bombers in flights over Iran is interpreted as a sign of confidence from the US military command that the Iranian ability to shoot down these aircraft has, to a large extent, been neutralized.
The change in stance indicates, according to the general himself, that Iran’s anti-aircraft defenses have been “significantly degraded” after weeks of attacks.
Despite this, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged that Tehran still maintains the ability to retaliate, even after about a month of bombings conducted jointly by the United States and Israel.
“They’re going to launch some missiles; we’re going to shoot them down,” Hegseth said, speaking at a Pentagon news conference alongside Caine.
According to General Caine, American strategy at this time is focused on attacking supply chains that fuel Iran’s production of missiles, drones and military ships.
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The aim is to make it difficult to replace stocks destroyed by thousands of US air raids since the start of the offensive.
