Inside the First Minutes of the Looming US-Iran War
U.S. forces in the Middle East are prepared to use advanced AGM-88G AARGM-ER and SiAW "Silent Killer" munitions to neutralize Iran’s radar systems and air defenses.
As the United States completes its largest military buildup in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, defense analysts and Israeli intelligence sources are detailing the likely opening moves of a potential confrontation. According to reports, any U.S. operation in February 2026 would begin with a high-tech "blinding" phase, utilizing a new generation of "secret weapons" to dismantle Iran’s integrated air defense systems (IADS) within minutes.
Phase One: Total Electromagnetic Dominance
The primary objective of the opening salvo is the total neutralization of Tehran's radar arrays. Security experts suggest that to achieve air superiority, the U.S. is relying on three specific advanced munitions designed to counter "radar shutdown" tactics:
1. AGM-88G AARGM-ER: The current gold standard for suppressing enemy air defenses (SEAD). Unlike older missiles, the AARGM-ER features a multi-mode seeker. If an Iranian operator shuts down their radar to "break" the missile's lock, the AGM-88G remembers the last known GPS coordinates and uses millimeter-wave terminal radar to finish the strike regardless.
2. SiAW ("The Silent Killer"): The Stand-in Attack Weapon is specifically designed for stealth internal carriage on the F-35. It is optimized to strike "relocatable" targets, mobile missile launchers and command centers that move between the rugged Iranian topography.
3. AESM (Advanced Emission Suppression Missile): Entering operational service this year (2026), this missile is described as an "AWACS killer" and a ground-defense nightmare. It can home in on any electromagnetic activity, effectively turning any active radar or communication node into an immediate target.
The Terrain Challenge: Decoys and Topography
Despite this technological edge, the U.S. faces significant obstacles:
Intelligence Synergy: The U.S.-Israel Pivot
To overcome these decoys, the U.S. is reportedly leaning heavily on a regional intelligence partnership. Israeli security sources confirm that the "deep knowledge" Israel has acquired regarding Iran's defensive patterns, including tunnel locations and signal signatures, is being integrated into the U.S. target banks.
This unprecedented cooperation aims to ensure that when the "first minutes" begin, the strike is surgical, leaving the Iranian military "blind" before their primary interceptors can even be fueled.