WASHINGTON — In a press briefing at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged on Wednesday that some Iranian air attacks may still penetrate defenses, even as he emphasized that U.S. military superiority is rapidly securing control over Iran's airspace. Hegseth stated that the United States has invested heavily in air defense systems to protect American forces and allies in the Middle East, following recent joint attacks with Israel that have escalated regional tensions.
Enhanced Defenses and Ongoing Risks
Hegseth explained that while the U.S. has deployed maximum possible defense measures, complete interception of all threats cannot be guaranteed. "This does not mean we can stop everything, but we ensured that the maximum possible defense and maximum possible force protection was set up before we went on offense," he said. This admission comes amid warnings from President Donald Trump and top defense officials that additional American casualties are anticipated in a conflict that began last Saturday and could extend for months.
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, echoed these concerns at the same conference, noting that U.S. service members "remain in harm's way, and we must be clear-eyed that the risk is still high." The risks were highlighted by a tragic incident on Sunday, when an Iranian drone strike killed six soldiers at an operations center in Kuwait. The center, described as a shipping container-style building with no defenses, was located miles from the main Army base, underscoring vulnerabilities in the region.
Military Strategy and Timeline
Hegseth suggested a potentially longer conflict duration than previously indicated by the Trump administration, estimating it could last up to eight weeks. He emphasized that the U.S. possesses sufficient munitions and equipment to prevail in a war of attrition, though he declined to set a specific timeframe, stating, "You can say four weeks, but it could be six, it could be eight, it could be three. Ultimately, we set the pace and the tempo. The enemy is off balance, and we're going to keep them off balance."
More forces, including jet fighters and bombers, continue to arrive in the region, with Hegseth affirming that the U.S. "will take all the time we need to make sure that we succeed." On weaponry supplies, both Hegseth and Caine assured that stockpiles remain robust. Hegseth noted a shift from advanced weapons to gravity bombs as the U.S. gains air control, while Caine added that successful strikes on Iranian targets have enabled deeper inland operations, facilitating this transition to more traditional precision bombs.
Operational Security and Iranian Arsenal
Caine declined to disclose specific quantities of munitions, citing operational security, but stated that the U.S. has "sufficient precision munitions for the task at hand, both on the offense and defense." Hegseth reinforced this, saying, "So our air defenses and that of our allies have plenty of runway. We can sustain this fight easily for as long as we need to."
Meanwhile, Iranian missile and drone usage has declined significantly, with Caine reporting an 86% drop in ballistic missile launches since the conflict's onset and a 73% reduction in one-way attack drones over the past 24 hours. This decrease may indicate Iran is conserving weapons to prolong the conflict, despite Tehran's threats to destroy Middle Eastern infrastructure.
Ground Troops and Policy Decisions
When questioned about the possibility of deploying ground troops in Iran, Caine deferred to policymakers, stating, "I'm not going to comment on U.S. boots on the ground. I think that's a question for policymakers. And I don't make policy, I execute policy." President Trump has not ruled out such deployments, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the conflict's evolution.
As the situation unfolds, U.S. defense leaders remain focused on maintaining air superiority and mitigating risks, while preparing for a potentially extended engagement in the region.
