Retired U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus told CNN that U.S. and Israeli forces have effectively gained control of Iranian airspace.
He said the early phase of the operation has largely gone according to plan.
He added that coalition forces are systematically dismantling Iran’s ability to defend its skies.
Petraeus said, “In this case, I actually see the military missions being accomplished fairly steadily here.”
He added, “The trajectory is very good.”
According to Petraeus, the first priority was eliminating Iran’s air defense and ballistic missile systems.
He noted those systems were already damaged during an initial Israeli air campaign.
He said U.S. forces moved quickly to finish the job once the operation began.
Petraeus explained they targeted air and ballistic missile defenses to avoid relying only on stealth aircraft.
He said commanders wanted to bring in the bigger bombers like the B-52s and B-1s.
He argued the campaign has achieved air supremacy rather than merely air superiority.
Military officials, he noted, often hesitate to declare such milestones publicly.
The conflict has intensified across multiple fronts.
WATCH:
Gen. David Petraeus on just how successful the U.S. has been in Iran: “We have actually achieved air supremacy, not just air superiority” pic.twitter.com/OEYhlJAiYK
— Ryan Saavedra (@RyanSaavedra) March 6, 2026
The war began after coordinated U.S.–Israeli strikes on February 28 aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear program and military infrastructure.
The opening attacks reportedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior commanders.
Petraeus suggested frustration over stalled nuclear talks and intelligence about Iran rebuilding missile stockpiles likely influenced the decision to strike.
Since the strikes, Israeli aircraft have reportedly struck hundreds of targets across Iran.
Those targets reportedly included command centers, missile facilities, and underground complexes in Tehran.
One major strike reportedly destroyed a large bunker believed to shelter senior Iranian leadership.
Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks against U.S. bases and allied infrastructure in the Middle East.
Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Hezbollah in Lebanon have conducted attacks on Israeli and American targets.
Petraeus warned Iran may have made a strategic error by widening the battlefield.
He said Iran’s strikes on airports, hotels, fuel facilities, and energy installations could draw Gulf states into the conflict.
He noted many Gulf nations tried to stay out of the fight and restricted use of their territory for military operations.
Petraeus warned, “They were trying to sit on the sidelines.”
As the war entered its seventh day, the United States expanded its air campaign.
President Donald Trump has demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender.”
