In October 2024, Israel carried out a significant strike targeting Iran‘s missile production and air defenses, saying it could operate „with greater freedom in Iranian airspace.“

Israel conducted another preemptive strike in June 2025, destroying Iranian air defenses so its air forces could attack Iran‘s nuclear facilities. Days later, the US carried out Operation Midnight Hammer aimed at destroying major Iranian nuclear sites.

After that operation, Caine said it didn‘t look like Iran got a shot off at the strike package. „It appears that Iran‘s surface-to-air missile systems did not see us,“ he said.