US and Israel launch nearly 900 strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Khameneikilling Supreme Leader Khamenei
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury, a joint military campaign consisting of nearly 900 strikes against Iran over 12 hours, targeting missile facilities, air defenses, military infrastructure, and leadership. The initial strikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of other officials, though a missile also struck a girls' school near a naval base, killing approximately 170 people. President Trump declared the start of "major combat operations" and called on the Iranian people to overthrow their government. Iran responded swiftly with retaliatory barrages of ballistic missiles and drones targeting U.S. military bases and Israel across the Middle East, with reports indicating around 170 missiles launched and strikes confirmed in multiple locations including Tel Aviv and Bahrain.
U.S. and Israeli Position
The United States and Israel framed the operation as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, dismantle its missile program, neutralize the Axis of Resistance, and protect regional interests. Officials stated the timing targeted Supreme Leader Khamenei before he could go into hiding, and Israel warned Iranian civilians near military sites to evacuate to minimize civilian casualties.
Iranian Response
Iran's military leadership, including Major General Ali Abdollahi, characterized the strikes as an act of aggression and vowed to continue retaliatory operations until the United States and Israel were "definitively defeated." Iran launched broad missile and drone strikes across the region, targeting U.S. embassies, military installations, and oil infrastructure in hopes of exacting costs and pressuring adversaries into mediation.
- Operation Epic Fury used B-2 stealth bombers, over 200 Israeli fighter jets in Israel's largest combat sortie, and newly developed Black Sparrow air-launched ballistic missiles for the first time in combat.
- The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint, became a target zone as Iran struck oil infrastructure and vessels in the waterway during its retaliation.
US-Iran Ceasefire War
The United States launched military strikes against Iran on June 26, 2026, in response to a drone attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a "foolish violation" of the 60-day ceasefire agreement signed just days earlier[2][4][14].
26 June, 09:35 PM
US launches strikes against Iran following commercial ship attack26 June, 04:47 PM
Trump calls Iran drone attack on cargo ship a ceasefire violation
