WASHINGTON-(MaraviPost)-US President Donald Trump authorized Operation Epic Fury against Iran after Washington received intelligence indicating that the Islamic Republic would deploy its ballistic missiles either preemptively or simultaneously with any American action against Tehran, a senior US official said on Saturday.
The operation, a joint effort with Israel, targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile sites, and senior officials, aiming to dismantle the country’s nuclear capabilities and destroy its ballistic missile industry.
Trump announced the operation in an eight-minute video posted on Truth Social, stating that the US would “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground” and “annihilate their navy”.
The strikes, which began at around 1 a.m. local time, involved Tomahawk cruise missiles, stealth fighters, and low-cost one-way attack drones, hitting multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, and Qom.
Iran retaliated with missile strikes on US military installations in the region, including bases in Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain, and launched dozens of missiles at Israel.
The conflict has led to reports of casualties, including the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, though the US has not confirmed this.
The operation has sparked international concern, with Russia condemning the strikes as “unprovoked aggression” and European leaders expressing alarm over the risk of a broader war.
Trump has warned Iran against escalating further, promising retaliation “with a force that has never been seen before.