U.S. and Israel Launch Major Strikes on Iran
The U.S. and Israel have launched a joint military operation against Iran, codenamed ‘Epic Fury,’ with airstrikes hitting multiple sites, including the capital, Tehran. In a televised address, President Trump confirmed the U.S. is carrying out “major combat operations” and called on the Iranian people to “take back” their country. The strikes follow months of tension over Iran's missile program, with oil prices surging immediately on fears of a wider conflict.
The operation, dubbed ‘Roaring Lion’ by Israel, involved dozens of fighter jets, including F-35s and F-15s, striking military industries, surface-to-surface missiles, and command and control targets. The Pentagon has named the U.S. component ‘Operation Epic Fury’, which follows a significant buildup of American military assets in the region. Iran immediately launched retaliatory missile attacks targeting U.S. military assets across the region. Sirens sounded at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Missiles were also fired toward Israel, with interceptions reported over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The strikes targeted a wide array of locations within Iran, with explosions reported in Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, Qom, and Karaj, in addition to the capital. A key target was the office complex of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, who was reportedly moved to a secure location beforehand. International reaction has been swift, with many world leaders urging restraint and de-escalation. The European Union described the situation as "perilous," while Russia condemned the strikes as a "preplanned and unprovoked act of armed aggression." Oman, which had been hosting diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran, expressed its disappointment at the military action. The conflict has caused immediate and widespread disruption to civilian life and global markets. Numerous airlines have suspended flights to the Middle East as countries including Kuwait, Iraq, and Iran closed their airspace. The price of Brent crude oil surged, and global stock and cryptocurrency markets saw sharp declines amid fears of a wider conflict. The attack follows a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran just eight months ago and comes after a recent round of negotiations in Geneva over Iran's nuclear program ended without a breakthrough. In his address, President Trump referenced last year's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which he had previously claimed obliterated the program, and has now vowed to "annihilate" Iran's navy and "raze their missile industry to the ground."
