United States Names Attack on Iran 'Operation Epic Fury'
The United States launched an attack on Iran that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The operation was named ‘Operation Epic Fury’.
According to NBC News on Sunday, 1 March 2026, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the American military strike against Iran and described ‘Operation Epic Fury’ as the deadliest, most complex and most precise air operation in history.
“The Iranian regime had the opportunity but refused to make a deal - and now they are bearing the consequences. For nearly fifty years, Iran has targeted and killed Americans, always seeking the most powerful weapons in the world to advance their radical objectives. Last night, unlike previous presidents, President Trump began to address this cancer,” Hegseth said in a post on X.
He stated that the US “will not tolerate powerful missiles that target the American people”. He said the operation was designed to destroy Iranian missiles, missile production and its navy.
“As President Trump has always said throughout his life, Iran will never have nuclear weapons,” Hegseth said.
He claimed the US did not initiate the conflict. He asserted that Iran had threatened American citizens.
“The United States did not start this conflict, but we will end it. If you kill or threaten Americans anywhere in the world - as Iran has done - then we will hunt you, and we will kill you,” he said.
Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that ‘Operation Epic Fury’ began on 28 February under Donald Trump’s direction. US forces and American allies began attacking targets at 01:15 US time to disable the Iranian regime’s security apparatus.
The US claimed the strikes were conducted whilst prioritising locations posing direct threats. Targets included the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defence capabilities, missile and drone launch locations, and military airfields.
“The President ordered bold action, and our brave soldiers, sailors, pilots, marines, guardians and coastguards answered that call,” said CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper.
Following the initial wave of US and allied strikes, CENTCOM forces defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks. There were no reported casualties or injuries among US forces related to the combat. He also claimed damage to US installations was minimal and had no impact on operations.
The opening hours of the operation included the launching of precision ammunition from air, land and sea. Additionally, CENTCOM’s Scorpion Strike Task Force used low-cost one-way attack drones in combat for the first time. Operation Epic Fury involved the largest concentration of US military forces in the Arab region in a single generation.