Washington, March 2 (NationPress) - US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commended Israel's recent airstrike that resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, labeling it a remarkable success and highlighting the strong collaboration between the US and Israel during the initial phase of Operation 'Epic Fury'.

In response to inquiries regarding the strike, Hegseth stated, "Israel executed that operation exceptionally well."

The Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs, General Dan Caine, offered more specifics, noting that the initial US offensive was a "daylight strike based on a trigger event, carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces with the support of the US Intelligence community." This statement clarified that the Israeli military's actions laid the groundwork for a broader US assault that occurred shortly afterward.

Following President Donald Trump's direct order to proceed without any possibility of cancellation, over 100 US aircraft launched in a coordinated assault from both land and sea.

However, Caine emphasized that Israeli forces were already engaged in operations. He remarked, "Israel has independently conducted hundreds of sorties targeting numerous objectives beyond the Air Force and Navy strike packages," illustrating a synchronized yet autonomous military effort.

Hegseth characterized the campaign as precisely defined, asserting, "This is not a so-called regime change war," and reaffirmed that the US's goals are centered on undermining Iranian military strength.

He also connected Israeli and American efforts, stating, "The regime that chanted 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel' received death from both America and Israel."

Throughout the briefing, Israel was frequently mentioned as a vital operational ally.

Caine elaborated on the collaborative nature of the operation, including intelligence sharing and the sequencing of strikes.

The initial assault, he said, showcased "the degree of joint integration achieved across all components of the joint force."

Hegseth confirmed that Israel has "clear missions as well, for which we are thankful for their capabilities," adding, "As we've stated from the outset, capable partners are invaluable partners."

The statements highlighted that Israeli operations extended beyond a singular leadership strike, involving ongoing aerial activities alongside US forces.

While the Pentagon did not disclose specific details regarding Israeli targeting, officials reiterated that both militaries were collaborating against Iranian command, missile, and naval infrastructures.

Caine remarked that the extensive integration demonstrated years of strategic planning and mutual trust between the two military forces.

He described the larger operation as unprecedented in both scale and execution, emphasizing the coordinated efforts in cyber, space, and air domains.