US & Israel Launch Major Strikes on Iran
The U.S. and Israel have launched a sweeping joint military operation against Iran, codenamed “Epic Fury,” with explosions reported in Tehran. Israel called the attack a “preemptive strike” against a “serious” threat, while President Trump released a video urging the Iranian people to “take over their government.” The action has rattled global markets, with oil prices spiking on fears of a wider war.
The operation, dubbed "Roaring Lion" by Israel, was framed as a preemptive move to counter an accelerating Iranian ballistic missile program, according to an Israeli military official. The strikes were the culmination of weeks of extensive and unprecedented planning and coordination between the U.S. and Israeli militaries. Targets were not limited to the capital; explosions were reported in multiple cities including Tabriz, Qom, Karaj, and the southern port city of Bushehr. The strikes targeted key military and naval infrastructure, including missile depots and facilities near the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In his video address, President Trump cited a history of Iranian aggression, including the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, as justification for the strikes. He stated the operation's goal was to "destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground" and "annihilate their navy." The military assets deployed included Israeli F-35 and F-15 fighter jets, while the U.S. had positioned F-22 fighters and KC-46 tankers in the region ahead of the operation. The Pentagon had been shifting significant firepower to the Middle East for weeks prior to the attack. Iran retaliated by launching missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases in the region and against Israel. Several Gulf nations, including Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, reported missile attacks on their territory where U.S. military assets are located. International reaction has been swift and largely critical, with nations like Russia and Norway condemning the strikes as a violation of international law. The European Union described the situation as "perilous," while China urged its citizens in the region to strengthen safety precautions. The immediate economic fallout saw Brent and U.S. WTI crude oil futures surge over 3%, hitting their highest levels in months. Analysts predict prices could rise as high as $80 a barrel due to fears of a wider disruption to global crude supply through the critical Strait of Hormuz.
