The White House has said the United States is moving steadily toward controlling Iran’s airspace as American and Israeli forces expand a sweeping aerial campaign against Iranian military targets.

Speaking during ongoing hostilities, administration officials said sustained air operations have significantly weakened Iran’s ability to defend its skies.

Senior defense leaders reported that repeated strikes on missile systems, air defense infrastructure and military bases have sharply reduced Iran’s capacity to launch aerial attacks or respond effectively.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that American military power is establishing dominance across Iranian airspace as part of a broader campaign aimed at dismantling the country’s military capabilities.

The operation, which has involved large-scale air strikes against strategic sites across Iran, has already hit hundreds of targets, including missile launch systems, naval assets and command facilities.

Officials say the campaign is producing measurable results on the battlefield.

Military commanders reported a sharp drop in Iranian missile launches and drone attacks following the initial phases of the operation, indicating that Tehran’s ability to project force is being steadily degraded.

The air campaign forms part of a broader military confrontation that escalated after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets, triggering retaliation from Tehran across several Middle Eastern countries hosting American forces.

Iranian missiles and drones have struck sites in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait during the conflict.

Despite the escalating confrontation, U.S. military leaders say gaining control of the skies is a critical step toward limiting Iran’s ability to threaten American troops and regional allies.

Officials acknowledged that while U.S. forces have achieved strong air superiority, some incoming missiles and drones may still evade defenses during the ongoing conflict.

President Donald Trump has emphasized the strength and determination of American forces, declaring that the United States will continue operations until Iran no longer poses a threat to U.S. security interests and regional stability.

The administration has described the campaign as part of a broader effort to neutralize Iran’s missile infrastructure and prevent further escalation.

The intensifying air war has also disrupted civilian aviation across the region.

Airspace closures and security warnings have forced airlines to cancel or reroute flights throughout the Middle East as military activity expands.

With thousands of strikes already conducted and additional phases of the campaign under preparation, American commanders say maintaining control of Iran’s airspace will remain central to the strategy as operations continue in the coming weeks.