US Strikes Iranian Missile Sites

The joint US-Israeli military campaign, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury" by the US, began on February 28, 2026, with a broad range of targets inside Iran. The operation goes far beyond missile sites, hitting military installations, missile production facilities, and the remnants of Iran's nuclear program. The initial wave of strikes targeted not just military infrastructure but also key governance centers in Tehran. Subsequent attacks have hit Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij internal security bases across the country, as well as political sites, including the Assembly of Experts building in Qom. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that entrance buildings at the underground Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant were damaged. A significant development in the conflict was the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the initial attacks. In response to the offensive, Iran has launched over 1,500 projectiles at US and Israeli targets across the Middle East, including in the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Oman, and Cyprus. The conflict has extended to the sea, where a US submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, an attack Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the "first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War II." The war has resulted in over 1,230 deaths in Iran and six U.S. troop fatalities. In light of the escalating conflict, the U.S. State Department has urged American citizens to leave 14 countries in the Middle East, including Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. However, many Americans have reported difficulties leaving due to booked or canceled commercial flights and closed airspace, with some U.S. embassies stating they are unable to provide evacuation assistance. The disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for about 20% of global oil supplies, is a primary driver of the spike in energy prices. Analysts warn that if the conflict is prolonged, oil prices could surpass $100 a barrel, which would significantly impact global inflation and economic growth.