US is ‘steadily destroying’ Iran’s ‘most essential’ war tools: Report

Published March 16, 2026 1:47am ET



Progress in Operation Epic Fury has been “relatively positive” with U.S. and Israeli forces causing significant damage to Iran‘s military capabilities, according to a new assessment released by the Institute for the Study of War. However, more time is required for the joint military operation to achieve its objectives.

“The war in Iran is currently in a phase in which the military trajectory is relatively positive: the United States is steadily destroying Iran’s ability to use its most essential tool in the war — drone and missile attacks — which in turn underpin the entire Iranian strategy,” read a post on X by the Institute for the Study of War. 

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