How did the fighting in Iwo Jima and Okinawa affect the Allies' Pacific strategy?

The fierce fighting in Iwo Jima and Okinawa demonstrated the heavy cost of a potential invasion of Japan, leading the Allies to reconsider their strategy in the Pacific. The high casualty rates and stalwart Japanese resistance highlighted the need for an alternative approach, ultimately contributing to the decision to use atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These battles emphasized the importance of securing strategic islands for airbases, which facilitated the Allied air campaign and naval operations leading to Japan's defeat.