US Launches 'Operation Epic Fury' Against Iran
The U.S. war with Iran, dubbed 'Operation Epic Fury,' is in its fourth day following a direct order from President Trump. The administration's stated objectives have already broadened from targeting missile sites to openly seeking regime change. In response to the escalating conflict, the U.S. has shut down several embassies across the Middle East.
The initial 24 hours of "Operation Epic Fury" saw U.S. and Israeli forces strike over 1,000 targets, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command centers, air defense systems, and naval vessels. The operation follows a previous U.S. strike in June 2025, dubbed "Operation Midnight Hammer," which targeted Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of six U.S. service members and at least 787 people in Iran, according to the Iranian Red Crescent. Among the dead are several top Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting U.S. military facilities and allied nations across the region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. Tehran has also declared the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz closed to all shipping. The escalating conflict has triggered widespread diplomatic evacuations, with the U.S. ordering non-emergency personnel to leave embassies in Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait. Diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have been shuttered after being struck by drones and missiles. The economic fallout includes a more than 6% jump in oil prices and a 40% surge in European natural gas futures. The initial 24 hours of the U.S. operation are estimated to have cost approximately $779 million. Internationally, Russia and China have condemned the U.S.-Israeli strikes and called for a truce. Leaders from the UK, France, and Germany expressed alarm at Iran's "indiscriminate and disproportionate" retaliatory missile attacks against regional countries. The operation has created a sharp divide in Washington. Democratic leaders are demanding that Congress vote on a War Powers resolution to assert its constitutional authority, while many Republicans have praised President Trump's decisive action.
