According to a report by Independent on Wednesday, March 04, 2026, U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have made rapid progress, the top American commander in the region said, as Tehran emptied and global markets reacted to growing instability. United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes that military leaders say have degraded Iranian defenses and infrastructure.
In the capital, Tehran was described as a “ghost town” after repeated bombardments, with residents sheltering and vital services disrupted. State media reported heavy casualties and widespread damage following strikes that targeted launch sites, air defenses and command centres.
Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads U.S. Central Command forces in the region, said the opening day of the assault — named Operation Epic Fury — was “nearly double the scale” of the opening of the 2003 Iraq campaign and that U.S. forces had struck roughly two thousand targets. “We are ahead of our game plan,” he said, adding that Iran’s air-defence network has been severely degraded.
Military officials reported heavy losses to Iranian naval capacity, saying multiple vessels were put out of action during sustained strikes across the Gulf and adjacent waters; details on the number and condition of ships are being assessed.
About 50,000 U.S. troops have been mobilised for the operation, with additional capabilities en route, and U.S. military spokespeople have confirmed both battlefield casualties and the likelihood of further losses as the campaign continues. Civil aviation and tourism sectors have been hit hard: more than 20,000 flights were cancelled and markets moved sharply in response to the disruption.
President Donald Trump has warned that the campaign may widen, and U.S. officials say assessments of next steps remain under active review. The evolving situation has left multiple theatres active and raised urgent questions about the conflict’s duration and wider regional fallout.See_More…