The United States and Israel continued military operations against Iran on March 4, 2026, entering the fifth day of the conflict known as Operation Epic Fury. The strikes have targeted Iranian naval assets, missile capabilities, and leadership, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Criticism mounts over the lack of congressional approval and evacuation plans for Americans in the region.
The joint US-Israel military campaign against Iran began on March 1, 2026, with precision strikes that eliminated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and damaged key nuclear and missile infrastructure. President Donald Trump has offered varying justifications, initially citing Iran's nuclear and missile threats, then stating that Israel was poised to act first, prompting a preemptive US response. In a Tuesday press session, Trump claimed the strikes averted a potential nuclear war, saying, 'If we didn't do what we're doing right now, you would have had a nuclear war, and they would have taken out many countries.' He added that negotiations with Iran had failed, as US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner discovered Iran was stockpiling enriched uranium under the guise of civilian research at the Tehran Research Reactor.
Military updates indicate significant degradation of Iranian capabilities. US Central Command reported sinking over 20 Iranian vessels, reducing drone launches by 73% and ballistic missile launches by 86% over four days. A US submarine sank an Iranian warship with a torpedo in international waters—the first such sinking since World War II—using a method described by War Secretary Pete Hegseth as delivering a 'quiet death.' Hegseth stated, 'We are fighting to win,' echoing the department's former name.
Casualties include six US service members, 10 Israelis, dozens of Arabs, and over 550 Iranians, with reports of high civilian deaths, including at a school in Minab. The State Department is evacuating thousands of Americans amid criticism for lacking prior plans. Iranian strikes have targeted US facilities, prompting defensive actions from allies like NATO, which intercepted a missile aimed at Turkey, though no Article 5 invocation is anticipated.
In Congress, a Senate resolution to require approval for further action failed 47-53 along party lines. Democrats, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen, called the war 'illegal' and endangering lives, while Republicans like Sen. Lindsey Graham supported it to neutralize threats from Iran's regime, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Houthis. The House is set to vote on a similar measure Thursday. Oil prices have risen, with Trump predicting a drop post-conflict.
