On Saturday, Centcom reported that the Iranian regime’s retaliation to the U.S. military operation “Operation Epic Fury” resulted in no casualties.
Operation Epic Fury has been described as “the largest regional concentration of American military firepower in a generation,” according to a statement shared on social media by U.S. Central Command.
“U.S. and partner forces initiated strikes at 1:15 a.m. ET targeting the Iranian regime’s security systems, focusing on areas posing an immediate risk. The strikes hit facilities related to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iranian air defenses, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields,” Centcom explained.
“The President has authorized significant action, and our courageous Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardsmen, and Coast Guardsmen are stepping up,” CENTCOM Commander Gen. Brad Cooper stated.
Central Command indicated that its forces had “successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone hits,” with no reported U.S. military casualties or combat injuries during the initial phases of Saturday’s attacks.
Centcom noted that U.S. military facilities in the area experienced “minimal” damage from the Iranian strikes, and operational capabilities were unaffected.
“Operation Epic Fury included the largest regional concentration of U.S. military firepower in a generation,” U.S. Central Command stated, adding that “precision fire from air, land, and sea” characterized the operation’s opening hours.
CENTCOM also confirmed earlier reports about the deployment of “low-cost unidirectional attack drones” for the first time in combat as part of “Task Force Scorpion Strike” on Saturday.
According to a report from the Iranian Red Crescent NGO, at least 201 individuals lost their lives and 747 were injured in Iran due to the attacks from the U.S. and Israel.
It remains uncertain if any of the Iranian regime’s senior leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, were killed in the strikes. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned earlier that the Ayatollah was alive “as far as I know.”
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that 200 Israeli Air Force jets had conducted “extensive strikes” against Revolutionary Guard missile sites and air defense systems in western and central Iran, marking a historic military overflight.
The IDF claimed it struck over 500 targets in Iran, including air defenses and missile launch points, in coordinated attacks across the country.
“This operation, marked by meticulous planning and superior intelligence, was executed with hundreds of jets, thus enhancing the IAF’s air dominance over Iranian territory,” it was noted.
President Donald Trump expressed on Saturday that “the time for freedom is at hand,” encouraging Iranians to take action to overthrow their government in Tehran. He stated, “When we’re done, take over your government, and it will be yours. This is likely your only opportunity for generations… Now is the time to take control of your destiny.”
