Air Force Gen. Dan Caine said Monday that U.S. military objectives in the conflict with Iran are “difficult and gritty” and will require sustained operations to achieve, as American forces continue a broad campaign targeting Tehran’s strategic capabilities.

Standing alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Caine detailed the first 57 hours of Operation Epic Fury, a multidomain assault ordered by President Donald Trump. The operation is aimed at dismantling Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, naval forces, and nuclear infrastructure.

“This is not a single overnight operation,” Caine said, noting that major combat operations are ongoing and battle damage assessments are being conducted in real time. He acknowledged that additional losses are possible but emphasized that U.S. forces remain focused on their objectives.

According to Caine, American forces, coordinating with Israel, struck more than 1,000 targets within the first 24 hours. The campaign has included more than 100 aircraft sorties, Tomahawk missile launches from Navy vessels, and 37-hour round-trip B-2 bomber missions originating from the continental United States to hit hardened underground facilities.

Military officials reported establishing localized air superiority over portions of Iranian airspace, disrupting command-and-control networks through cyber and space operations, striking ballistic missile sites and naval assets along Iran’s southern coast, and intercepting hundreds of incoming ballistic missiles and drones aimed at U.S. personnel and regional allies. Patriot and THAAD air defense systems, along with Navy destroyers, have been used to counter those threats.

Caine confirmed the loss of three U.S. F-15 fighter jets overnight but said they were not shot down by enemy fire and that all crew members were safe. Hegseth also confirmed that four American service members were killed after a missile penetrated air defenses and struck a tactical operations center.

Partner nations, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, have assisted with regional air defense efforts.

Hegseth said the United States is responding after decades of Iranian aggression conducted through proxies. “We didn’t start this war,” he said. “But under President Trump, we are finishing it.” He stated that the objectives are clear: eliminate Iran’s offensive missile capabilities, dismantle its naval power, and prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons.

There are currently no U.S. ground combat troops inside Iran, though Hegseth declined to rule out future options, saying operational limits would not be publicly telegraphed. Both leaders stressed that while early gains have been made, Iran retains long-range strike capabilities and the campaign remains active across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains.

Caine concluded with a warning to adversaries, stating that U.S. forces can sustain the fight and will prevail.