Trump's Iran Strikes Spark Celebrations
President Trump's 'Operation Epic Fury' strikes on Iran triggered Iranians chanting 'Thank You Trump' in NYC with Persians for Trump shirts, YMCA blasting, and Trump dance celebrations. A White House update video exploded with 59k likes as supporters claimed Trump 'freed Iran.'
The joint US-Israeli military action, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury" by the U.S. and "Operation Roaring Lion" by Israel, commenced on Friday, February 27, 2026. The coordinated assault targeted a wide range of Iranian military and government sites, including missile facilities, naval bases, and locations near the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This operation represents a significant escalation compared to the more limited "Operation Midnight Hammer" in June 2025, which primarily targeted Iran's nuclear facilities. President Trump's stated objectives for "Epic Fury" include preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, destroying its missile arsenal, and degrading its proxy networks, alongside a call for the Iranian people to "take over your government." The strikes followed a period of heightened tensions and stalled negotiations over Iran's nuclear program. President Trump had issued a 10-day warning for Tehran to comply with U.S. demands regarding its nuclear ambitions before the operation was launched. Internally, Iran had been experiencing significant unrest for months. Protests, which began in late December 2025 over economic grievances and rising inflation, had spread across all 31 provinces and were seen as the most extensive since the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement in 2022. In the immediate aftermath of the strikes, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks, designated "Operation True Promise 4," against US bases in several Middle Eastern countries and at targets in Israel. This has led to concerns of a broader regional conflict. International reaction to "Operation Epic Fury" has been divided. Allies like Australia and the UK expressed support for the U.S. action, while nations such as China and the UN Secretary-General condemned the strikes, calling for de-escalation. Within the U.S., the operation has seen strong support from many Republican lawmakers, while some Democrats have criticized the president for bypassing congressional authorization.
