Operation Epic Fury: U.S. and Israel Strike Iran
Updated: February 28, 2026, 1:20 PM – The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that there were no military casualties reported from Operation Epic Fury, a coordinated strike with Israel that targeted Tehran, Iran.
In a statement, CENTCOM indicated, “There are no reports of U.S. military casualties or combat-related injuries. Damage to U.S. military facilities is minimal and operations are not affected.”
According to CENTCOM, the strikes were executed around 1:15 a.m. ET, utilizing air, land, and sea munitions, marking a significant use of a unidirectional attack drone by the Scorpion Strike Force.
CENTCOM described this operation as involving “the largest regional concentration of U.S. military firepower in a generation.” Furthermore, CENTCOM forces successfully defended against numerous Iranian missile and drone assaults.
8:43 AM – Early Saturday morning, U.S. and Israeli forces launched missiles into Tehran as part of “Operation Epic Fury,” as reported by the U.S. Army.
These attacks happened around 1:30 a.m. ET, corresponding to 10 a.m. in Tehran.
Shortly afterward, President Donald Trump released an eight-minute video on Truth Social, declaring that the U.S. military had initiated “a major combat operation in Iran.”
In the video, Trump, sporting a white “USA” hat, stated, “Our purpose is to protect the American people by eliminating the immediate threat from the Iranian regime, which is an evil group of very tough and scary people.” He mentioned that the regime’s actions pose direct dangers to the U.S. and its allies.
He also recalled the 1979 seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, where 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days, and the 1983 bombing of Marine barracks in Beirut that resulted in the death of 241 servicemen.
Trump emphasized that in recent years, proxies of the Iranian regime have launched multiple attacks against U.S. forces and assets, declaring, “This is mass terrorism and we will not tolerate it any longer.”
Reportedly, at least 40 individuals lost their lives in an Israeli and U.S. airstrike on a girls’ school in southern Iran, with more than 45 others injured.
He accused the Iranian regime of “arming, training, and financing terrorist militias” and cited Iran’s suppression of protests, which resulted in many domestic casualties. “Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, and most recently killed tens of thousands of its own citizens protesting in the streets,” he remarked.
Furthermore, Trump asserted that because of the violent nature of its leadership, Iran should never develop nuclear capabilities. He framed the recent actions as a continuation of efforts after Operation Midnight Hammer last June, which targeted Iran’s nuclear program.
Earlier in February, U.S.-Iran talks took place indirectly in Oman, though Trump reported these discussions did not produce any meaningful progress. The U.S. president noted that operations would remain “massive and sustained” as long as Iran’s regime poses a threat to national security.
Trump had previously mentioned that a regime change in Iran could be beneficial, especially with the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford to the Middle East to support military operations.
On Friday, the State Department cautioned U.S. officials and their families about heightened security concerns and recommended immediate departure for those considering travel in the area, as restrictions could arise without warning.
