United States and Israel Launch Joint Strikes on Iran

The United States launched combat operations in Iran over the weekend (Feb. 28-March 1) that began with a US-Israel joint strike targeting the Middle Eastern nation’s military assets and top political leaders, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the attack.

President Donald Trump indicated the overarching purpose of the offensive – called Operation Epic Fury – is to weaken Iran’s current regime so the Iranian people can take over and establish a new government. “[T]o the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand,” Trump said after the strike began. He added, “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations.”

Trump’s Plan

After most of the Iranian regime’s leadership was killed in the initial strike, President Trump outlined the remaining goals of the operation, which he said could take several weeks.

“Our objectives are clear. First, we’re destroying Iran’s missile capabilities – and you see that happening on an hourly basis – and their capacity to produce brand new ones,” Trump said. “Second, we’re annihilating their navy. We’ve knocked out already ten ships. They’re at the bottom of the sea.” He continued, “Third, we’re ensuring that the world’s number one sponsor of terror can never obtain a nuclear weapon. And finally, we’re ensuring that the Iranian regime cannot continue to arm, fund, and direct terrorist armies outside of their borders.”

President Trump noted that the war in Iran is moving “substantially ahead” of schedule.

Response From Iran

Iran launched a counterstrike after the initial US-Israel attack, firing missiles at targets across the region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a military branch in Iran that is tasked with protecting the regime, said it was focused on striking US bases and American assets in retaliation for Operation Epic Fury.

US Troops Killed, Wounded

War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Monday that a “powerful” Iranian weapon penetrated US air defenses over the weekend, striking a tactical operation center in Kuwait. Five US troops were killed in the assault, and a sixth later died from wounds sustained during the attack.

General Dan “Raizin” Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Monday that the United States expects “to take additional losses, and as always, we will work to minimize US losses.”

Three US warplanes were also shot down in Kuwait in a “friendly fire” incident, according to US Central Command, known as CENTCOM, which directs military operations and activities across the Middle East.

“During active combat — that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones — the U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,” CENTCOM said in a statement. US officials said all six crew members safely ejected from the jets that were hit.

Back in the United States, American security agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, military installations, and government officials are deploying enhanced security measures as concerns of a retaliatory attack hitting US soil grow. For now, the world watches as a new volatile chapter in the Middle East unfolds.

1. The United States launched Operation Epic Fury to destroy Iran’s military assets and weaken the nation’s regime.
2. The operation began with a US-Israel joint strike that led to the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
3. Six US troops have been killed in the offensive so far.