The pace of American and Israeli airstrikes against Iran has dropped significantly after the intense opening days of the campaign launched on February 28, 2026, according to official data and independent defense analysis.

New figures compiled from military briefings and think-tank assessments indicate that the combined daily volume of coalition strikes has fallen by roughly 55–65 percent compared with the initial phase of the operation.

The slowdown comes as the conflict enters its second week, raising questions about operational planning, munitions availability, and the resilience of Iranian air defenses.

Early Phase: Massive Strike Volume

During the opening phase of the campaign, coalition forces conducted one of the most intense air operations seen in the region in decades.

According to a CENTCOM fact sheet, U.S. forces alone struck:

• 1,250 targets within the first 48 hours
• 1,700 targets within the first 72 hours

Analysts say this early surge was intended to quickly cripple Iranian command networks, air defenses, and missile launch infrastructure.

At the same time, Israel launched the largest aerial operation in its history, striking approximately 500 targets in the first 24 hours of the war.

Reports from the monitoring group Airwars indicate that during the first four days the combined U.S.–Israeli campaign exceeded 1,000 strikes per day.

Second Phase Begins as Air Defense Suppression Proves Incomplete

A March 5 report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) stated that the campaign has now entered a second operational phase.

The initial plan focused on suppressing Iranian air defenses and command structures. However, the report indicates that this objective was not fully achieved.

Iran continues to operate air defense systems in several areas, while its command structure appears to have shifted toward a more decentralized model, allowing units to continue operating despite heavy strikes.

This adaptation has complicated the coalition’s attempt to maintain the high operational tempo seen in the first days of the campaign.

Strike Numbers Begin to Decline

Data released during the first week of the war shows a clear reduction in the pace of attacks.

By March 5 (day six of the operation) Israel reported 2,500 cumulative strikes, which translates to roughly 300 strikes per day at that stage of the campaign.

By March 7 (day eight) the total number of Israeli strikes had reached 3,400, producing an average daily rate of about 425 strikes, representing roughly a 15 percent decline from the initial pace.

US Strike Tempo Falls More Sharply

The reduction in U.S. strike volume appears even more pronounced.

Based on official cumulative numbers:

• Total U.S. targets struck by March 7: around 3,000
• Initial pace (days 1–2): approximately 1,250 strikes per day
• Average pace after day three: roughly 300–400 strikes daily

These figures suggest an estimated 76 percent drop in the daily volume of American strikes after the initial peak.

Overall Coalition Reduction Estimated at 55–65%

When Israeli and American data are combined, analysts estimate that the coalition’s daily strike tempo has fallen between 55 and 65 percent compared with the opening days of the operation.

Many defense analysts argue that this pattern is typical for large-scale air campaigns, where the opening phase is designed to overwhelm defenses and rapidly degrade key infrastructure.

However, some observers suggest the slowdown may also reflect operational challenges.

Possible explanations include:

• Continued activity by Iranian air defense systems
• Ongoing Iranian missile and drone launches
• Aircraft maintenance cycles after intense early operations
• Limited stocks of certain precision munitions

Iran’s Continued Resistance

Despite heavy bombardment, Iran has continued to launch missiles and drones toward regional targets.

Iranian forces also reportedly shot down two high-value unmanned aerial vehicles in recent days, indicating that some air defense capabilities remain active.

If Iranian defenses and retaliatory strikes continue, analysts warn that the conflict could enter a prolonged phase in which both sides adjust their operational strategies.

A War Entering Its Next Stage

The dramatic opening phase of the campaign demonstrated the coalition’s ability to conduct large-scale coordinated strikes across Iran.

However, the subsequent reduction in strike tempo suggests that the conflict may now be shifting from an initial shock campaign to a longer and more complex operational phase.

How long the coalition can sustain its operations—and how effectively Iran can continue resisting—may determine the next stage of the war.