US and Israel Launch 'Operation Epic Fury' in Iran Amid Escalating Middle East Conflict
- Rex Ballard
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
Breaking Update:
Fox News and the Israel Defense Forces have confirmed that the Supreme Leader Ayatolah Kahmehni was killed in this initial raid.
In a dramatic escalation of tensions, the United States and Israel initiated joint military operations against Iran early Saturday, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury" by President Donald Trump. The strikes targeted key military, nuclear, and leadership sites across the Islamic Republic, following the collapse of nuclear negotiations in Geneva. Iran swiftly retaliated with missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory and U.S. military bases in the Gulf, raising fears of a broader regional war.
OPB's First Look: U.S.–Israel strike on Iran - OPB
The Strikes Begin: A Coordinated Assault
The operation commenced around dawn local time in Iran (mid-morning PST), with Israeli forces leading the initial wave under their codename "Roaring Lion." U.S. assets, including Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from warships in the region and fighter jets, joined shortly after. Targets included Iran's nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan; ballistic missile production sites; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) bases; and high-level political compounds in Tehran, such as the residence of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
President Trump announced the action in an eight-minute video posted to Truth Social, stating, "The United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests." He emphasized the goal of destroying Iran's missile capabilities and navy while preventing nuclear weapon development, and urged Iranian citizens to overthrow their government, saying, "The hour of your freedom is at hand... Take over your government. It will be yours to take."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this, declaring the strikes a "pre-emptive" measure to neutralize threats, claiming several senior Iranian figures had been "eliminated." Reports from Israeli media suggest Khamenei may have been killed or severely injured, though Iranian officials have not confirmed this, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating only that the leader is "alive, as far as I know."
Explosions were reported in at least 14 cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, and southern provinces like Hormozgan. Satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts show significant damage to infrastructure, with plumes of smoke rising over urban areas.
US, Israel bomb Iran: A timeline of talks and threats leading up to attacks | Israel-Iran conflict News | Al Jazeera
Iran's Fierce Retaliation
Iran's response was immediate and multifaceted. The IRGC launched multiple barrages of ballistic missiles, including Emad, Ghadr, Kheybar Shekan, and Fatah-1 variants, toward Israel. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported intercepting dozens, but some impacts occurred in central and southern Israel, causing minor injuries and property damage. A nine-story building in northern Israel was struck by debris from an intercepted missile, injuring one civilian.
Tehran also targeted U.S. military installations across the Middle East, striking bases in Bahrain (U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters), Qatar (Al Udeid Air Base), the United Arab Emirates (Al Dhafra Air Base), Kuwait (Al Salem Air Base), Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Iranian state media claimed hits on 14 U.S. facilities, with explosions reported in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Manama. While many missiles were intercepted by U.S. and allied defenses, unconfirmed reports indicate shrapnel casualties and structural damage.
Trump's claim on Iranian missile development said unsupported by US intelligence | The Times of Israel
Iranian officials condemned the strikes as "unprovoked aggression" and a violation of international law. Foreign Minister Araghchi told NBC News that Iran has "every right" to defend itself, while IRGC commander Major General Ali Abdollahi vowed continued retaliation until the U.S. and Israel are "definitively defeated." Proxies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen have signaled readiness to open new fronts, though no major actions have been reported yet.
Scenes from the Middle East as the US and Israel attack Iran - February 28, 2026 | Reuters
Casualties and Damage: A Grim Toll
The human cost has been significant, particularly in Iran. The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported at least 201 civilians killed and 747 injured across 24 of Iran's 31 provinces. A particularly devastating strike hit a girls' primary school in Minab, southern Iran, killing 85 people, including children, according to state media and local prosecutors; there has been no independent corroboration of this report. Other reports vary, with initial figures as low as 53 before rising.
On the leadership front, Israel claims to have killed Iran's Defense Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and IRGC Commander Mohammed Pakpour in targeted strikes. Iran has acknowledged losses among "one or two commanders" but downplayed the impact. No confirmed American casualties have been reported, though Trump warned in his announcement that "lives of courageous American heroes may be lost," acknowledging the risks of war.
Damage assessments indicate severe hits to Iran's military infrastructure. Nuclear sites show signs of destruction, missile caches have been razed, and naval assets targeted. In retaliation zones, minor injuries were reported in Israel and the Gulf, including one death from falling debris in Abu Dhabi and four killed in Suwayda, Syria. Satellite imagery shows smoke over the affected areas in Tehran and other cities.
Scenes from the Middle East as the US and Israel attack Iran - February 28, 2026 | Reuters
Category | Iran | Israel | US/Gulf Allies |
Civilian Deaths | 201+ (including 85 at school) | 0 direct; 89 injured (mostly indirect) | 1 (Abu Dhabi debris); 4 (Suwayda) |
Military/Leadership Losses | Defense Minister, IRGC Commander (claimed); several commanders admitted | None reported | None confirmed |
Injuries | 747+ | 3 direct; minor from debris | Several from shrapnel in UAE |
Damage | Nuclear facilities, missile sites, IRGC bases destroyed; urban explosions | Building hits from debris | Base impacts; minimal structural damage reported |
International Reactions and Broader Implications
The strikes have drawn sharp international criticism. Russia and China condemned the action as "reckless" and a threat to sovereignty, calling for an emergency UN Security Council meeting. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of "destruction on an unimaginable scale," urging de-escalation. Allies like Saudi Arabia, the UK, Bahrain, UAE, and Jordan have supported the U.S.-Israel position, providing defensive aid against Iranian missiles.
Oil prices surged amid fears of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, with airspace closures across the region. Protests in Iran, suppressed earlier this year, may reignite, as Trump explicitly linked the operation to regime change.
Next Steps: An Uncertain Path Forward
U.S. officials indicate the operation will continue for "days, not hours," focusing on sustained degradation of Iranian capabilities. Trump has reiterated goals of regime change and nuclear dismantlement, while Iran vows a "crushing" response. Analysts predict potential escalation involving Iranian proxies or direct confrontations in the Gulf. Diplomatic efforts, including backchannel talks via Oman, remain possible but unlikely without concessions. A wider war could draw in more actors, with experts warning of prolonged instability.
As the conflict unfolds, the Middle East braces for further developments. For now, both sides show no signs of backing down.
