The United States has unleashed Operation Epic Fury, a historic aerial onslaught described by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as unparalleled in its lethality, complexity, and accuracy. Speaking from Washington, Hegseth framed the strikes as unavoidable retribution for Iran’s persistent rejection of peace talks and its long history of hostility toward America.
For almost five decades, Iran has made Americans its prime targets, assassinating them and chasing apocalyptic weaponry to advance extremist goals, Hegseth charged. President Trump’s directive last night broke from past hesitancy, launching a comprehensive assault to eradicate these dangers at their source.
Key objectives include obliterating missile factories and arsenals threatening US lives, sinking the Iranian navy, and permanently blocking any path to nuclear weapons – echoing Trump’s unequivocal stance. ‘We didn’t ignite this war, but mark our words: we will extinguish it,’ Hegseth declared.
A chilling ultimatum followed: harm or intimidate Americans globally, and face certain death in pursuit. Hegseth lauded the ‘world’s best warriors’ – soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Guardsmen, and Coast Guardsmen – executing the mission with flawless readiness.
Per CENTCOM’s statement, the campaign began at 1:15 AM ET, focusing on crippling Iran’s protective infrastructure, from IRGC hubs to air defenses, drone pads, missile sites, and airbases. Precision fire from multiple domains rained down, with Task Force Scorpion Strike debuting cost-effective suicide drones in combat.
In the aftermath of opening salvos, defenders repelled hundreds of Iranian counterstrikes via missile and drone barrages, affirming coalition resilience. This operation not only responds to provocation but redefines deterrence, potentially reshaping regional power dynamics as Iran grapples with unprecedented military pressure.