Joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran — February 28, 2026
Operation Epic Fury is the codename for the largest joint US-Israeli military operation in modern history, launched in the early hours of February 28, 2026. The campaign involves coordinated air and missile strikes against Iranian military infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and IRGC command centres. US assets deployed include B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, carrier-based strike groups in the Arabian Sea, and Tomahawk cruise missile salvos from guided-missile destroyers and submarines positioned across the region.
Israel's contribution centres on its F-35I Adir fleet and long-range precision munitions, with sorties launched from Israeli airspace crossing Saudi and Jordanian corridors under pre-arranged overflight agreements. The operation specifically targets Iran's integrated air defence system, ballistic missile production complexes, drone manufacturing facilities, and hardened underground nuclear enrichment plants at Natanz and Fordow. Pentagon sources describe the operation as "the most complex air campaign since the opening of the Iraq War in 2003."
The military significance of Operation Epic Fury extends beyond the immediate damage to Iranian capabilities. By systematically dismantling Iran's layered air defence network and striking IRGC command nodes, the coalition aims to degrade Tehran's ability to coordinate retaliatory operations and project force through its proxy network across the Middle East. However, Iran's rapid retaliatory missile launches against Israel, UAE, Bahrain, and US bases in the Gulf demonstrate that significant offensive capability remains intact.
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Operation Epic Fury is the codename for the joint US-Israeli military operation launched on February 28, 2026. The campaign targeted Iranian military installations, nuclear facilities, air defence systems, and IRGC command centres across multiple provinces using cruise missiles, stealth bombers, and standoff munitions.
Confirmed targets include Iran's air defence radar networks, IRGC command and control facilities in Tehran, ballistic missile production sites near Isfahan and Karaj, Natanz and Fordow nuclear enrichment plants, and drone manufacturing facilities. Satellite imagery confirms significant damage to multiple sites.
As of February 28, 2026, Operation Epic Fury is characterised as a limited but large-scale military campaign targeting specific military and nuclear infrastructure. It is not a ground invasion or occupation. However, Iran's retaliatory strikes across the Gulf have expanded the theatre of conflict significantly.
The US deployed B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, Tomahawk cruise missiles from naval vessels in the Arabian Sea and Mediterranean, and air-launched standoff munitions from carrier-based aircraft. Israel contributed with F-35I Adir sorties and long-range Jericho ballistic missiles targeting hardened underground facilities.