Washington, March 11 (NationPress) US military jets are conducting operations deep within Iranian airspace with a level of freedom described as “relative impunity.” This follows the neutralization of a significant portion of Iran's advanced air defense systems during the initial phase of Washington's military initiative, according to the Pentagon.

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, informed the media that many of Iran's sophisticated surface-to-air missile systems are no longer a substantial threat to US aircraft as Operation Epic Fury enters its second week.

“At this point, most of their advanced surface-to-air missile systems have become non-factors,” Caine stated during a press briefing at the Pentagon alongside Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

“We are enabling our fighters to operate deeper within the region with relative ease.”

This marks one of the clearest confirmations from US military officials regarding the significant degradation of Iran’s air defense capabilities following days of extensive American air strikes throughout the nation.

Caine revealed that the US-led operation has already targeted over 5,000 locations since its commencement, including missile launch sites, drone production facilities, and various military infrastructures across Iran.

“Recently, US Strategic Command bombers deployed numerous 2,000-pound GPS-guided munitions on deeply buried missile launchers along the southern flank,” he noted.

Additionally, US forces have targeted Iran’s drone manufacturing networks.

“We have also dismantled several one-way drone factories to undermine their autonomous capabilities,” Caine added.

The Pentagon reported that the ongoing air campaign has significantly reduced the number of missile and drone assaults initiated by Iran since the conflict's onset.

“The frequency of ballistic missile attacks has plummeted by 90% since operations began,” Caine mentioned.

He further stated that “the use of one-way attack drones has dropped by 83% since the operation commenced.”

The campaign also aims to incapacitate Iran’s naval forces in the Gulf region.

“We have engaged over 50 Iranian naval vessels throughout the campaign using a mix of artillery, fighters, bombers, and sea-launched missiles,” the chairman confirmed.

Among the destroyed vessels was an Iranian drone carrier that had been facilitating unmanned aerial operations.

Pentagon representatives indicated that the air superiority achieved by the United States is permitting aircraft to penetrate deeper into Iranian territory to target military production facilities and infrastructure associated with missile and drone development.

“We have initiated strikes on Iran's military and industrial complexes,” Caine stated, adding that the operations are focused on “production facilities, research and development sites, and related infrastructure.”

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth remarked that the campaign is delivering “overwhelming and relentless precision” as US forces work to dismantle Iran’s missile program and military capabilities.

“We are decisively overpowering the enemy in a striking demonstration of technical expertise and military might,” Hegseth asserted.

He emphasized that the operation remains directed toward three primary objectives: neutralizing Iran’s missile stockpiles and launchers, undermining its naval capabilities, and ensuring the regime is permanently barred from acquiring nuclear weapons.

“We will persist until the enemy is utterly and irrevocably defeated,” Hegseth added.

Despite the weakening of Iran’s air defenses, Caine cautioned that risks remain during combat operations.

“There is always some risk involved. I would not state otherwise,” Caine acknowledged, noting that US forces are equipped to conduct search and rescue missions if aircraft face threats.

The Pentagon also mentioned that the campaign is continually adapting as Iranian forces modify their battlefield tactics.

“They are adjusting, just as we are,” Caine said, adding, “I believe they are engaging, and I respect that, but I don’t find them to be more formidable than we anticipated.”