US and Israel Launch 'Epic Fury' Strikes on Iran
The U.S. and Israel have launched a series of coordinated military strikes on Iran, codenamed "Epic Fury," in a major escalation of Mideast tensions. Explosions were reported in Tehran, while President Trump released a video urging the Iranian people to overthrow their government. The strikes have caused oil prices to spike amid fears of a wider regional war.
The joint U.S.-Israeli operation is part of a broader, multi-day military campaign. The American component is codenamed "Operation Epic Fury," while Israel's mission is dubbed "Operation Roaring Lion." U.S. officials stated their focus is on military targets and ballistic missile sites that present an "imminent threat," while Israel is reportedly targeting Iranian leadership. Initial targets included Iranian military and naval facilities, missile depots, and sites near the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. A senior Israeli official confirmed that Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were targeted, though it was unclear if they were at the locations when the strikes occurred. Explosions have been reported in numerous Iranian cities, including Qom, Isfahan, and Tabriz. Iran has retaliated by launching missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases in the region and at Israel. Approximately 40 missiles had landed in Israel, and U.S. facilities in multiple countries, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, were targeted. The offensive follows a significant U.S. military buildup in the region, including the deployment of F-35 and F-22 fighter jets, KC-46 tankers, and Tomahawk cruise missiles fired from Navy vessels. The strikes were launched in the morning to preserve an element of surprise, according to the Israel Defense Forces. This escalation follows weeks of failed nuclear negotiations and a previous 12-day war between Israel and Iran just eight months prior. President Trump had given Tehran a 10-day deadline to comply with U.S. demands on its nuclear program before the strikes were initiated. International reaction has been swift, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating the strikes create an opportunity for the Iranian people to oust the "terrorist regime" in Tehran. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign ministry condemned the attacks as a "gross violation of Iran's territorial integrity and national sovereignty" and asserted its "legal and legitimate right" to respond under the U.N. Charter.
