Defensive Collapse: Iranian Ballistic Missile Launches Plummet by 90% After US Strikes

General Dan Caine, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, delivered a comprehensive operational update on Tuesday alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, revealing the staggering success of the ongoing air campaign against the Iranian regime. According to General Caine, the collective efforts of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) and its regional partners have effectively broken the back of Iran’s long-range strike capabilities. Data shared during the briefing indicates that ballistic missile launches from Iranian territory have plummeted by 90% since the start of the war, while one-way "suicide" drone attacks have decreased by approximately 83%. This rapid degradation of the regime's primary offensive weapons is the result of a systematic campaign that has already neutralized more than 5,000 high value targets across the country.

Bunker Busters and Hidden Silos

A critical component of this military success has been the deployment of heavy strategic bombers from the US Air Force Strike Command. General Caine revealed that these aircraft have been dropping dozens of 2,000-pound, GPS-guided "bunker buster" bombs on missile launchers that the Iranian military had buried deep underground. These strikes, concentrated primarily in the southern sector of the country, have reached targets that were previously thought to be invulnerable to conventional air attacks. By destroying these launchers at their source, the coalition has prevented the regime from executing the mass saturation barrages they had promised at the beginning of the war.

Dismantling the Drone Industry

Beyond the destruction of active launchers, the coalition has targeted the "heart" of Iran’s autonomous weapons industry. General Caine confirmed that several key production plants for one-way attack drones have been disrupted or destroyed, preventing the regime from replenishing its rapidly dwindling stockpiles. While the factories are being leveled, American and regional fighter jets and attack helicopters are maintaining a constant presence in the skies to intercept any drones that manage to launch. This multi-layered approach of hitting both the manufacturing centers and the active projectiles has resulted in the 83% decrease in UAV activity reported today.

Southern Sector Momentum

The General emphasized that CENTCOM is continuing to make significant progress in the southern sector, where the bulk of the regime’s naval and coastal missile assets were located. The coordination between the US and its regional allies has reached a point where the "interception rate" has made Iranian fire almost entirely ineffective. As the war continues, the focus remains on the total elimination of the regime's ability to project power beyond its borders. General Caine’s briefing suggests that the Iranian military is no longer capable of sustained offensive operations, leaving the Ayatollahs with few options as their strategic depth evaporates under the weight of "Operation Epic Fury."