US ‘on track’ to control Iranian airspace, White House says; targets could be met in 4-6 weeks
The United States is making progress in the ongoing conflict with Iran and is “well on its way” to controlling Iranian airspace, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Friday (March 7th).
In an interview with reporters, Leavitt said Washington expects to achieve its operational goals within weeks.
“We are well on our way to controlling Iranian airspace,” she said, adding that the United States believed its “achievable goals” in the conflict could be completed in four to six weeks.
The US has sufficient stockpiles of weapons
Leavitt also said the United States has sufficient weapons stockpiles to sustain its operations related to the conflict.
Her remarks came as Donald Trump prepared to meet with major defense contractors along with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to review military readiness and stockpiles.
According to the White House, the administration remains confident that its military stockpiles are sufficient to cover operational needs as the war expands across the region.
Trump demands “unconditional surrender” of Iran
Trump has signaled a tough stance on Tehran and appears to rule out negotiations.
“There will be no deal with Iran other than unconditional surrender,” Trump said as fighting intensified between Israel and Iran.
In a separate post on social media, Trump said the United States and its allies would help rebuild Iran after the conflict once acceptable leadership was in place.
“After Iran’s capitulation and the election of a GREAT AND ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), the US and its allies will help rebuild Iran, making it economically bigger, better and stronger than ever before,” he wrote.
The war is spreading across the Middle East
The war between Israel and Iran has now spread to many countries in the Middle East.
Israeli warplanes carried out heavy strikes in Tehran and Beirut, while Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and Gulf countries hosting US forces.
In Lebanon, the latest Israeli strikes have been described as the heaviest since the 2024 ceasefire that ended the latest conflict with Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. Authorities said more than 95,000 people had fled the suburbs of Beirut and southern Lebanon following Israeli evacuation warnings.
Read also | Trump Gives Iran Ultimatum: ‘No Deal Except Unconditional Surrender’
Increasing casualties and displacement
Officials say the war has already caused significant losses across the region.
At least 1,230 people have been killed in Iran, more than 200 in Lebanon and about a dozen in Israel since the conflict began a week ago, according to authorities. The United States also reported six military deaths.
Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes had left 217 dead and 798 injured since Monday alone.
Iran signals possible mediation
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has hinted that diplomatic efforts to ease tensions may be under way.
“Some countries have started mediation efforts,” Pezeshkian wrote on social media, without giving further details.
Meanwhile, Iran’s state television said the leadership council had begun discussing how to convene the Assembly of Experts, which is responsible for choosing the country’s next supreme leader.
Read also | Trump’s stark warning to Iran says “you will face absolute guaranteed death…”
