Arabian Sea – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance (DDG 111) and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) fired Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles on March 2, 2026, as part of Operation Epic Fury, the major U.S. military campaign against Iran directed by President Donald Trump. The operation, coordinated with Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion, is one of the largest joint U.S.-Israeli military actions in history.

The campaign targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, missile production sites, IRGC command centers, air defense systems, drone launch sites, military airfields, and senior regime leadership. Over 100 aircraft—including F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18 Super Hornets from carriers like USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), and B-2 Spirit stealth bombers—supported the strikes alongside Tomahawk missiles from destroyers and HIMARS systems.

Operation Epic Fury confirmed the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of high-ranking officials. Iran responded with a massive retaliatory barrage of over 170 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones targeting U.S. bases and allies, though many were intercepted. Strikes continued into March 2, including B-2 bombers hitting ballistic missile sites with 2,000-pound guided bombs.

U.S. casualties include four service members killed, five seriously wounded, and others with minor injuries from Iran’s counterattacks. President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described the operation as necessary to eliminate Iran’s missile and nuclear threats, emphasizing air and missile strikes without a ground invasion. Israel confirmed over 1,200 munitions were used in the first day, and U.S. lawmakers praised the operation as a decisive response to Iran’s longstanding threats.

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