The Pentagon is running out of strategically important targets in Iran. [1] Politico reported Wednesday that after more than a month of intensive air operations, the fixed military infrastructure that constituted the original target list -- air defense systems, command centers, missile production facilities, airfields -- has been largely destroyed. Trump claimed this week that Iran's military forces, defense industrial base, and political leadership have been "absolutely destroyed." [2] The claim is overstated. What has been destroyed is the infrastructure that air power can reach.

The problem, as a former Trump administration official told Politico, is the remainder: "The main problem is that without a ground invasion, access to Iranian military facilities is limited. The remaining stockpiles of Tehran's ballistic missiles are becoming increasingly difficult to hit, as those that remain are likely in fortified bunkers." [2] Iran built its nuclear and missile programs underground for exactly this reason. The deeply buried facilities that survived five weeks of American bombing are the ones designed to survive American bombing.

Trump has said the strikes will continue for three more weeks. He has called for Iran to accept a ceasefire. More than forty U.S. allies are developing contingency plans for the Strait of Hormuz. [2] The air campaign continues. But when the target list runs out and the bunkers hold, the question becomes whether the administration will accept the limits of air power or escalate beyond them. On X, the Politico report was shared with the blunt framing: "Trump vows to keep attacking Iran. But he's running out of targets to hit." [3] On Friday, Iran shot down an F-15E Strike Eagle -- a reminder that the targets shoot back.

-- SAMUEL CRANE, Washington