President Trump outlined five objectives for the Iran war in February, including destroying Iran's missile capabilities and preventing nuclear weapon development. The United States and Israel have conducted extensive airstrikes, damaging Iran's ballistic missile infrastructure and naval forces. However, Iran continues to fire missiles and maintains significant military capabilities despite the attacks.

Naval operations have seen notable successes, including the sinking of the Iranian destroyer IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka, which killed at least 80 crew members. The U.S. and Israel have also decimated Iranian missile factories and damaged three nuclear sites, though some highly enriched uranium remains in underground facilities. The strikes have killed key Iranian leaders including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but have not sparked the popular uprising Trump anticipated.

Regional militias supported by Iran, including Hezbollah and groups in Iraq, remain active despite the military pressure. These groups continue to launch attacks on U.S. diplomatic facilities and maintain their destabilizing presence in the region. The war has not achieved regime change as Trump envisioned, with the new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei maintaining Iran's theocratic government and anti-American stance.