Arabian Sea – U.S. forces commenced Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026, with aircraft and missiles launched from the Nimitz‑class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN‑72) as part of a massive joint U.S.‑Israeli military offensive against Iran.

The campaign began at approximately 1:15 a.m. ET with coordinated cyber and space effects to disrupt Iranian communications, followed by a surge of airpower. More than 100 aircraft—including F‑35s, F/A‑18s, and B‑2 stealth bombers—struck over 1,000 Iranian targets within the first 24 hours, focusing on nuclear sites, missile facilities, IRGC command centers, air defenses, drone launch locations, and military airfields. Tomahawk cruise missiles from destroyers such as USS Spruance (DDG‑111) joined the assault.

The strikes confirmed the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of other senior officials, marking a significant escalation in U.S.‑Iran tensions. Iran retaliated with more than 170 ballistic missiles, drones, and cruise missiles aimed at U.S. bases and allied positions, though many were intercepted by defense systems.

Operations continued into early March, with B‑2 bombers targeting ballistic missile sites using 2,000‑pound guided bombs. U.S. forces reported four service members killed and several more wounded during the ongoing campaign.

President Donald Trump and top defense leaders described the operation as necessary to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and missile threats, emphasizing that it relied on air and sea strikes rather than a ground invasion. Allied forces, including Israel, contributed to the campaign’s breadth, with over 1,200 munitions deployed on the first day alone.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download