How the US and Israel weakened and blinded Iran to take control of its skies in the opening hours

"Gen. Dan Caine stated that the US began operations by 'layering non-kinetic effects, disrupting, and degrading, and blinding Iran's ability to see, communicate, and respond.' This cyber and space operation preceded the launch of more than 100 aircraft from both sea and land, including fighter jets, electronic attack jets, refueling tankers, command planes, bombers, and drones."

"The initial phase focused on targeting Iran's command and control facilities, naval forces, ballistic missile sites, and intelligence infrastructure and was 'designed to daze and confuse them.' The combined impact of these strikes resulted in the establishment of local air superiority, allowing US forces to operate more safely and freely above Iran."

"Israel announced that its fighter jets had secured air superiority above Iran. Just hours after operations began, Israeli military said strikes on Iranian air defense systems allowed it to expand 'aerial superiority' over Iran, and by Sunday, Israel claimed it had 'dismantled' most air defense systems in western and central Iran."

The US and Israel established localized air superiority over Iran in the opening stages of their military operations. The US began with cyber and space operations to disrupt Iran's command, communication, and surveillance capabilities. Over 100 aircraft from both countries, including fighter jets, bombers, drones, and support planes, targeted Iran's command and control facilities, air defense systems, naval forces, ballistic missile sites, and intelligence infrastructure. These swift and precise strikes were designed to overwhelm and confuse Iranian defenses. Israel separately announced it had dismantled most air defense systems in western and central Iran. This air superiority allows US and Israeli warplanes to operate with greater freedom and safety in Iranian airspace, though operational risks persist.

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