As of February 28, 2026, “Operation Epic Fury” is the official U.S. codename for a major, ongoing joint military campaign by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The conflict represents a significant escalation of long-standing tensions and follows a period of intense domestic unrest within Iran earlier this year.
The Current Situation (February 2026)
The operation officially commenced in the early hours of Saturday, February 28, 2026. While the U.S. has dubbed its portion “Operation Epic Fury,” Israel has used codenames such as “Operation Roaring Lion” and “Operation Shield of Judah.”
- Primary Targets: Strikes have been reported across several major Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Qom, and Karaj. Targets include ballistic missile infrastructure, military command centers, and sites linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
- High-Profile Strikes: Reports indicate that at least one strike occurred near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran.
- Iranian Response: Iran has retaliated by launching a “first wave” of drones and ballistic missiles toward Israel. Air raid sirens have been reported in Haifa and other northern Israeli districts, with some interceptions confirmed.
Strategic Objectives
According to statements from President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the operation has several stated goals:
- Eliminating Nuclear Threats: Destroying Iran’s capability to produce or refine nuclear weapons.
- Dismantling Missile Power: Neutralizing Iran’s ballistic missile industry, which the U.S. claims now threatens Europe and North America.
- Regime Change: In an 8-minute video address, President Trump explicitly urged the IRGC to lay down their arms and suggested the operation’s ultimate goal is to allow the Iranian people to “take over” their government.
Background and Context
The strikes did not happen in a vacuum. The first two months of 2026 saw:
- Massive Internal Protests: Starting in late December 2025 and peaking in mid-January 2026, Iran faced its largest anti-government protests since 1979. The regime responded with a violent crackdown and internet blackouts.
- Failed Negotiations: Recent indirect nuclear talks in Geneva and Muscat failed to reach a breakthrough, with the U.S. demanding a total end to uranium enrichment and proxy support.
- Military Buildup: In the weeks leading up to today, the U.S. deployed a massive “armada” to the Middle East, including the carrier strike groups USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford.
Current Status: The situation remains fluid. Iran is currently experiencing a near-total internet blackout (connectivity at roughly 4%), and air travel across the region is heavily disrupted.
Would you like me to monitor for the latest casualty reports or specific updates on the retaliatory strikes hitting Israel?