US and Israels Joint Iran Strategy Shows Promising Results So Far

US and Israeli Forces Engage in Operation Epic Fury Against Iran

Operation Epic Fury, launched two weeks ago, has resulted in a significant degradation of Iran’s ability to project regional power. The US and Israel have reportedly stumbled into the conflict without a clear plan, according to some critics. However, this narrative is disputed by experts who argue that the campaign’s objectives are being met.

According to publicly available data, Iranian ballistic missile launches have decreased by over 90% since February 28, with drone launches also showing a significant decline. Hundreds of Iranian missile launchers have been rendered inoperable, and estimates suggest that up to 80% of Iran’s capacity to strike Israel has been eliminated.

The US military has announced local air superiority over western Iran, achieved without the confirmed loss of a single American or Israeli combat aircraft. The campaign has moved through two distinct phases, with the first targeting Iran’s air defences, command and control, and missile launch infrastructure. The second phase focuses on destroying Iran’s defence industrial base.

Iran now faces a strategic dilemma, as it must ration its remaining missiles to avoid exposing launchers that are promptly destroyed. This approach suggests a force managing decline rather than projecting strength.

The operation has imposed real costs on millions of people across the Middle East, including in Qatar, where Iranian missiles have triggered alerts for residents to take shelter. The US Department of State and defence agencies have advised on the campaign’s objectives, with experts arguing that the picture is one of systematic degradation of a threat that had grown over four decades.

The campaign’s progress has been documented through publicly available data, which shows a clear trend of Iran’s declining capabilities. This narrative challenges the criticism that focuses solely on the costs of the operation while ignoring the strategic ledger.

Source: Al Jazeera