Senior U.S. military leaders, including Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine, warned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that a prolonged war against Iran would weaken America’s ability to respond globally. The Pentagon assessed that critical air-defense interceptor stocks could sustain only roughly two weeks of high-intensity combat, while at least six American soldiers were killed in Iranian retaliatory strikes. Operation Epic Fury, launched on March 2, 2026, struck over 13,000 targets and destroyed approximately 80% of Iran’s air defenses within weeks, before a ceasefire was reached after about 38 days of active combat. The primary concern centered on how an extended Middle East conflict would drain resources needed to respond to a potential conflict with China, as every missile and carrier strike group committed to the Persian Gulf reduced capabilities in the Pacific theater.
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