Operation Epic Fury 2/27/2026
- 17GEN4
- Feb 28
- 3 min read
Operation Epic Fury is an ongoing joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, launched on February 28, 2026, at approximately 1:15 a.m. ET (early morning local time in Iran). It marks a major escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions, following failed nuclear negotiations earlier in the week and prior U.S. operations like Midnight Hammer in 2025 targeting Iranian nuclear sites.
President Donald Trump announced the strikes in prerecorded remarks, describing them as "major combat operations" to defend U.S. interests, eliminate imminent threats from Iranian proxies, destroy Iran's missile production, navy, and nuclear capabilities, and ultimately foster "freedom for the people of Iran." He explicitly called on Iranians to overthrow their regime, offering immunity to IRGC members who surrender.
Objectives
Dismantle Iran's security apparatus (IRGC command/control).
Neutralize air defenses, missile/drone sites, and military airfields.
Prevent nuclear weapon development and proxy terrorism.
Broader aim: Regime destabilization or change.
Israel's parallel operation, dubbed Raging Lion, focused on western/central Iran targets, including leadership sites.
Forces and Assets Involved
Party | Key Assets |
U.S. (CENTCOM, Task Force Scorpion Strike) | F-35C Lightning II and F/A-18E/F Super Hornets from USS Abraham Lincoln; Tomahawk missiles from 14 guided-missile destroyers; precision munitions from air/land/sea; first combat use of low-cost one-way attack drones; defenses (SM-3/2/6, THAAD, Patriot PAC-3). centcom.mil +1 |
Israel (IDF) | Fighter jets striking ~500 objectives across 24 provinces; focused on missile launchers and leadership compounds. |
This represents the largest U.S. regional firepower concentration in a generation.
Targets StruckStrikes hit facilities in Tehran, western/central Iran (e.g., Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah), and southern sites like Konarak Naval Base (vessels/airfield damaged). Key categories:
IRGC command/control.
Air defenses.
Missile/drone launch sites.
Military airfields.
Ballistic missile/nuclear programs (e.g., Natanz/Fordow reported).
Leadership: Khamenei's fortified compound (heavily damaged); unconfirmed strikes near supreme leader's residence.
Casualties and Damage
Side | Reported Losses |
Iran | 200+ killed, ~700 injured (Iranian Red Crescent); 85 at a school strike (unverified). High-profile: Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh, IRGC Cmdr. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour (confirmed by Reuters sources/Israeli ops intel); possibly Ali Shamkhani. Khamenei/President Pezeshkian reported alive. nypost.com +2 |
U.S./Allies | No fatalities; minimal damage to bases (e.g., radome in Bahrain); 1 minor injury (smoke inhalation). Intercepted hundreds of incoming threats. centcom.mil +1 |
Israel | Minor injuries in Tel Aviv/Haifa from retaliation. |
Iran imposed a near-total internet blackout and heightened security in Tehran.
Iranian Retaliation
Iran launched "hundreds" of ballistic missiles/drones at U.S./Israeli/allied targets: Israel (sirens in Haifa/Tel Aviv), Bahrain (5th Fleet HQ), UAE (1 killed by debris), Qatar (Al Udeid), Kuwait (airport damage), Jordan. Most intercepted; limited impacts (e.g., residential/building damage). Iran banned Strait of Hormuz traffic (largely ignored) and vowed a "crushing response."
Key Statements
Trump: "Hour of freedom" for Iran; operations to last days/weeks.
Netanyahu: Strikes bring "true peace"; hinted Khamenei "may be dead."
Iranian FM Araghchi: Confirmed ≥2 commanders killed; Khamenei alive.
International Reactions
Supportive: Canada, some U.S. GOP (e.g., Graham).
Critical: Russia/China (aggression); UN (escalation); France/UK/Germany (restraint); U.S. Democrats (unauthorized).
UN Security Council emergency meeting underway; IAEA warns of nuclear risks (none reported).
Current Status (as of ~3 PM ET, Feb 28)
Ongoing multi-week campaign; strikes continue. Iran shows de-escalation willingness if attacks halt, but no end in sight. Oil prices rising; regional panic/closures. U.S. monitoring from Mar-a-Lago.
On X, real-time footage shows Tomahawks over Iraq and explosions in Tehran, with mixed reactions from support to WWIII fears.
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