Pentagon Admits U.S. Air Defenses Cannot Stop Every Iranian Strike As War Expands
The U.S. military acknowledged that its air defense systems cannot intercept every Iranian missile or drone attack, even as American officials insist they are gaining the upper hand in the rapidly escalating conflict with Iran.
Speaking at the Pentagon, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States has deployed extensive defensive capabilities across the Middle East but conceded that some Iranian strikes may still reach their targets.
“This does not mean we can stop everything,” Hegseth told reporters. “But we ensured the maximum possible defense and force protection before we went on offense.”
The remarks come days after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale military campaign against Iran, a conflict that has quickly spread across the region.
U.S. Officials Claim Military Momentum
Despite acknowledging vulnerabilities in air defenses, Hegseth said U.S. forces currently hold significant advantages in the conflict.
According to the defense secretary, American and allied forces have already achieved strong operational control of Iranian airspace.
“I stand before you with one unmistakable message about Operation Epic Fury,” Hegseth said. “America is winning decisively, devastatingly and without mercy under the direct command of President Donald Trump.”
He argued that Iran’s military capabilities are being rapidly degraded.
“They are toast, and they know it,” he added.
Expanding Air Campaign
U.S. military leaders said the campaign will soon expand deeper into Iranian territory.
Officials indicated that additional bomber aircraft and fighter jets are arriving in the region to support the ongoing offensive.
American forces have reportedly already carried out thousands of strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure.
According to U.S. military officials, more than 2,000 targets have been hit since the campaign began on February 28.
The Pentagon says these strikes have focused on:
- Missile launch sites
- Drone production facilities
- Naval assets
- Military command infrastructure
Iranian Naval Forces Targeted
Military officials also reported significant damage to Iran’s naval forces.
According to U.S. statements, more than 20 Iranian naval vessels have been destroyed during the campaign, including at least one submarine.
The strikes are part of an effort to eliminate Iran’s ability to threaten shipping lanes and U.S. naval operations in the region.
Hegseth said the campaign aims to dismantle Iran’s military capabilities across multiple domains.
“We will hunt, dismantle, demoralize, destroy and defeat Iran’s military capacity,” he said.
Growing Use of Heavy Precision Weapons
The Pentagon also emphasized that the United States maintains large stockpiles of precision-guided munitions.
With what Hegseth described as “complete control of the sky,” U.S. aircraft are expected to use a wide range of guided bombs in future operations.
These include:
- 500-pound precision-guided bombs
- 1,000-pound bombs
- 2,000-pound laser- and GPS-guided munitions
Hegseth dismissed suggestions that U.S. forces are running low on ammunition, saying the military has a “nearly unlimited stockpile” available for the campaign.
Strategic Goals of the Operation
The offensive, launched jointly by the United States and Israel, is officially aimed at neutralizing Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities.
Pentagon officials say the campaign is “laser-focused” on eliminating the infrastructure behind Iran’s missile and drone programs while weakening key military institutions.
“Iran will never possess a nuclear bomb,” Hegseth said.
The U.S. government has repeatedly stated that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons remains a central objective of the operation.
Claims of Retaliation Plot
During the briefing, Hegseth also claimed that U.S. forces recently killed the leader of an Iranian unit allegedly involved in a plot to assassinate President Trump.
“Iran tried to kill President Trump,” he said. “And President Trump got the last laugh.”
Officials did not provide additional details about the alleged assassination attempt or the identity of the individual reportedly killed.
A Conflict Still Escalating
While U.S. officials express confidence about the military campaign, analysts warn that the conflict could continue to escalate.
Iran still possesses significant missile and drone capabilities and has already launched retaliatory strikes across the region.
The acknowledgment that U.S. defenses cannot intercept every attack highlights the continued risks facing American forces and allied countries as the war unfolds.
With the United States preparing to expand strikes deeper inside Iran, the coming days could determine whether the conflict remains limited or grows into a wider regional war.
