US strikes Iranian air defenses
The gist
The US military struck an Iranian air defense system on Qeshm Island, which Trump called "minor."
The strikes came days after midterms where the war was a major issue.
How it unfolded
- Feb 28, 2026The United States and Israel launched a major assault on Iran, with Trump saying the operation would seek to eliminate Iran's nuclear and missile programs, destroy its navy and change its leadership.
- Mar 2, 2026US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine announced that "local air superiority has been established" over Iran as the combined US-Israeli force continued to degrade Iranian air defenses.
- Sep 2026Washington continued to target Iranian air-defense sites and radar systems as recently as September.
Key terms
- midterms
- US general elections held near the midpoint of a president's four-year term, when all House seats and about a third of Senate seats are contested.
- air defense system
- Weapons, sensors and command arrangements designed to reduce or nullify the effectiveness of hostile air action.
- air superiority
- A degree of control of the air that gives one side an advantage over opposing air forces.
Source: Wikipedia