Arabian Sea – U.S. naval and air forces launched Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026, a massive military campaign against Iran directed by President Donald Trump and coordinated with Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion. The operation targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile production sites, IRGC command centers, air defenses, drone launch sites, military airfields, and senior regime leadership.

The campaign began with non-kinetic cyber and space operations to disrupt Iranian communications, followed by a wave of synchronized strikes. 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 attacks, alongside Tomahawk cruise missiles fired from destroyers such as USS Spruance (DDG-111) and HIMARS systems.

The operation confirmed the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior officials. Iran retaliated with 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 included 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 strikes as necessary to neutralize Iran’s missile and nuclear threats, emphasizing air and missile operations without a ground invasion. Israel confirmed over 1,200 munitions used in the first day, and U.S. lawmakers hailed the operation as a decisive response to long-standing Iranian threats.

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