Since the morning of February 28, the United States and Israel have struck a wide range of targets in Iran with air and missile strikes—targets associated with the country’s political and military leadership, its nuclear program, and both launch infrastructure and production facilities for its missile and drone programs. Iran’s response has included attacks against targets in neighboring states in the Middle East. Many of these have been US military and diplomatic facilities. Other Iranian strikes have targeted public sites like Dubai’s airport.
There are important ongoing discussions about the strategic and geopolitical aspects of the ongoing conflict. But what about its hardware dimension. What weapons are the United States and Israel using to strike Iran? What about the drones and missiles Iran is using to strike regionally in response? And how should we evaluate the air and missile defense component of the conflict? To explore that question, John Amble is joined on this special episode of the MWI Podcast by Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
The MWI Podcast is produced through an endowment generously funded by the West Point Class of 1974. You can listen to this episode of the podcast below, and if you aren’t already subscribed, be sure to find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss an episode. While you’re there, please take just a moment to leave the podcast a rating or give it a review!
Image: A US Air Force F-16 takes flight in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. (credit: US Air Force)
