LIVE: Top US General Caine says mission is to stop Iran projecting power and warns of major combat with expected losses

Alongside his comments on the scope of operations, Caine noted that U.S. forces have achieved local air superiority over parts of Iran. Local air superiority means that U.S. aircraft can operate with relative freedom in the skies above targeted areas, facing limited effective resistance from enemy air threats.

Achieving local air superiority is often seen as key in modern warfare. It allows aircraft to strike with reduced risk and supports broader military goals. In this conflict, both U.S. and allied aircraft, including those of Israel, have been active in the region and have claimed control over sections of Iranian airspace.

The situation remains highly dynamic. With air operations ongoing and ground and sea assets engaged, U.S. officials are signalling that their military posture will remain vigilant and active as the conflict continues.

Top U.S. General Dan Caine has said that military operations linked to the Iran conflict will remain active across the entire theatre of operations and around the world. He also noted that U.S. forces have established local air superiority in the skies over Iran, signalling control of the air domain at least in key areas of the conflict. These comments come amid ongoing strikes and broad U.S. engagement against Iranian military targets.

General Caine made it clear that the military action is not limited to a few strikes but will continue across a wide area of operations. His remarks suggest that U.S. forces will maintain pressure on Iranian military capabilities and be prepared to act globally as needed. This reflects a shift from isolated missions to a more sustained campaign with broad geographic reach.

U.S. Central Command has been striking hundreds of targets across Iran, including missile sites, command centres and naval assets. Officials say these actions are ongoing and part of a wider effort aimed at degrading Iran’s military reach.

Top U.S. General Dan Caine has said that in the first phase of the military campaign against Iran, more than 100 aircraft were launched together in a single wave. This description came as part of remarks on the scale and intensity of the operation, which U.S. officials describe as major combat actions against Iranian military targets.

The campaign is part of a large U.S.-led offensive that has hit a wide range of Iranian military sites, including missile systems, command centres and other strategic positions across the country. The strikes reflect an unprecedented concentration of air power in the region in recent years.

General Caine said that in the opening salvo of the attack, U.S. forces launched more than 100 aircraft in one wave to strike Iranian targets. That indicates a highly coordinated air operation involving fighter jets, bombers and support aircraft in a synchronized assault.

This scale of deployment shows how seriously the United States is treating the campaign. It also suggests that military planners are combining many types of aircraft and assets to achieve maximum impact in the initial stage of the offensive.

The broader military action, described by U.S. Central Command as “Operation Epic Fury,” has hit over 1,000 Iranian military sites in the first 24 hours, including command and control centres, missile launchers and naval assets. Stealth bombers, fighter jets and other aircraft have been used in the campaign to degrade Iran’s military capabilities and limit its ability to strike back.

Analysts note that such large-scale air operations are rare and reflect the seriousness of the situation. The first wave of more than 100 aircraft underscores the intensity of the offensive and the level of planning behind it.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing strikes and developments across the region. More details are expected as military and political leaders update on the progress of the operation.

Top US General Dan Caine has revealed that former President Donald Trump gave the final go order for the Iran operation on Friday. He also made it clear that the military campaign is only at its early stage and will continue in the coming days.

His remarks show that the decision to move forward was taken at the highest political level and that the operation was not rushed.

General Dan Caine said the final approval for the strikes came directly from Donald Trump. According to him, the go order was given on Friday after detailed briefings and strategic discussions.

This confirms that the military action followed a formal chain of command. It also suggests that the timing was carefully chosen rather than spontaneous.

Senior officials have described the broader campaign as the result of long planning. Caine’s statement about the final go order highlights the moment when planning turned into direct action.

According to reports, the U.S. and Israel have coordinated their military operation against Iran over an extended period. An Israeli defence official said the operation was planned for months, and the specific launch timing was chosen weeks in advance, reflecting careful planning and preparation by military and strategic advisers.

Caine’s comments about the long planning period reinforce the idea that the campaign did not happen overnight. The buildup of forces and intelligence gathering efforts had been ongoing well before the first strikes were launched, pointing to a broader and more deliberate strategy at play.

Taken together, these statements from top U.S. military leadership make clear that officials see the campaign in Iran as a prolonged mission. They indicate a phased and planned operation that will evolve over time rather than a brief engagement with immediate closure.

General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, indicated that the U.S. military’s involvement in Iran is not nearing an end. He said the work ahead will continue, highlighting that sustained operations and follow-on actions remain part of the military’s approach. This suggests that U.S. officials expect ongoing activity and a focus on broader strategic goals rather than a quick exit or swift resolution.

Officials have described the strikes as major combat operations, and Caine’s remarks align with this framing by signalling that the effort is serious and complex. Multiple strikes and counter-strikes in recent days have shown a widening conflict that U.S. military leaders expect to carry out in a structured manner.