US and Israel Align on Hawkish Iran Strategy

The United States and Israel have engaged in a large-scale military campaign against Iran that began on February 28, 2026. The conflict, characterized by high-impact strikes and unprecedented coordination between the U.S. Central Command and the Israeli Air Force, has resulted in the decapitation of the Iranian regime and the severe degradation of its military infrastructure.

The war was initiated through Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion. These operations targeted more than 15,000 sites within Iran, focusing on the country’s navy, air defense, air force, and military-industrial base. Specific targets included Tehran’s drone and missile manufacturing apparatus.

U.S. Intelligence estimates indicate that nearly two-thirds of Iranian drones and missiles have been damaged or destroyed. The campaign sought to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and to neutralize its ballistic missile program, which both Washington and Jerusalem identify as serious threats.

Strategic Alignment and Differing Objectives

The decision to enter the conflict was driven by a convergence of interests between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both leaders shared a hawkish approach toward Iran and a commitment to dismantling its regional influence and terrorist proxies.

Despite this military alignment, strategic outlooks between the two allies differ regarding the war’s endgame. Israel’s physical proximity to Iran makes the total destruction of the Iranian ballistic missile program a significantly higher priority for Jerusalem than for Washington.

As the conflict entered its second month, the United States began assessing various paths forward, including seeking a near-term off-ramp, adopting a strategy of attrition, or utilizing a strategy of escalation to force de-escalation.

Regime Response and Succession

A central objective of the opening strikes was the decapitation of the Iranian command structure. This included the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials, such as Ali Larijani.

Contrary to expectations of systemic collapse, the Iranian state experienced a rapid and disciplined succession. Mojtaba Khamenei emerged as the new Supreme Leader, while hardline elements consolidated operational authority over the state.

Iran has responded to the air campaign by adhering to its strategic doctrine of persistence over symmetry. This has manifested in ballistic missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli cities, and U.S. Bases in the Gulf.

Regional and Global Impact

The conflict has extended beyond the immediate combatants, affecting critical energy infrastructure across the Gulf. Iran has launched strikes targeting facilities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Gulf monarchies, which have historically been ambivalent about direct military confrontation with Iran, are now operating in unprecedented coordination with the U.S. And Israeli militaries. While this alignment has proven tactically effective, analysts suggest it exposes fragilities in the broader security architecture of West Asia.

The transition from a calibrated decapitation strike to a grinding air campaign has shifted the strategic equilibrium of the region. While the U.S. And Israel have demonstrated military superiority, the conflict has evolved into a structural rupture where coercion has led to the consolidation of the remaining Iranian leadership rather than total capitulation.