The United States says it is close to establishing full control of Iranian airspace as military operations in the region continue to intensify.
According to the White House, American forces could achieve what officials described as “complete aerial dominance” within hours as the conflict enters its fifth day.
Speaking on Wednesday, March 4, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the United States was making rapid progress in its operations.
“We expect to have complete and total dominance over Iranian airspace in the coming hours,” Leavitt said during a briefing.
The statement suggests that U.S. forces are nearing a stage where they can operate freely over Iranian territory without facing significant resistance.
US and Israel Coordinating Operations
U.S. officials also confirmed that the military effort is being coordinated closely with Israel.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said American and Israeli forces are working together to secure control of Iranian skies as part of their broader strategy.
“We will have complete control of Iranian skies, uncontested airspace,” Hegseth said while discussing the operation. He did not specify exactly when that objective would be achieved.
Military analysts say gaining control of airspace is often a critical step in modern warfare because it allows forces to conduct operations with fewer restrictions and greater precision.
Targeting Military Infrastructure
Hegseth explained that securing control of Iranian airspace would allow allied forces to intensify operations against key military targets.
According to him, the goal is to identify and destroy missile systems and other strategic defence facilities tied to Iran’s military capabilities.
“That means we will fly all day, all night, day and night, finding, fixing and finishing the missiles and defense industrial base of the Iranian military,” he said.
The remarks come as joint U.S.–Israeli military actions reportedly continue across several locations in Iran, with strikes focused on missile installations and defence infrastructure.
Rising Tensions in the Region
The latest developments highlight the growing tensions in the Middle East as the conflict between the involved nations escalates.
Control of Iranian airspace could significantly change the dynamics of the ongoing military operations, giving allied forces broader operational flexibility.
Officials have not yet disclosed how long the operations may continue or what the next phase of the strategy might involve.
For now, the situation remains fluid as both sides closely monitor developments across the region.