Arabian Sea – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) launched precision Standard Missiles on February 28, 2026, as part of Operation Epic Fury, a major U.S. military campaign against Iran ordered by President Donald Trump. The strikes were coordinated with Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion, marking one of the largest joint U.S.-Israeli military offensives in history.

The operation targeted over 1,000 Iranian sites within the first 24 hours, focusing on nuclear infrastructure, missile production, IRGC command centers, air defenses, drone launch facilities, military airfields, and top regime leadership. The synchronized assaults included over 100 aircraft—F-35s, F/A-18 Super Hornets, and B-2 stealth bombers—as well as Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from destroyers like USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and USS Spruance. Cyber and space operations disrupted Iranian communications, amplifying the effectiveness of the strikes.

The campaign resulted in the confirmed death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior officials. Iran retaliated with over 170 ballistic missiles, drones, and cruise missiles targeting U.S. bases and allied positions, though many were intercepted. U.S. forces reported four killed, five seriously wounded, and additional minor injuries, with no casualties from the initial strikes.

Operations continued into March 2, including B-2 bombers striking ballistic missile sites with 2,000-pound guided bombs. President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described the campaign as a necessary response to Iran’s missile and nuclear threats, emphasizing air and missile strikes only, without a ground invasion. Israel contributed over 1,200 munitions on the first day. Lawmakers praised the action as a decisive response to long-standing regional threats.

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