The United States and Israel initiated major military strikes against Iran on February 28, 2026, in an operation dubbed Operation Epic Fury, aimed at destroying nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missiles, and toppling the regime. President Donald Trump announced the action in an eight-minute video, urging Iranians to overthrow their government once the strikes conclude. Reports indicate Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, though Iranian state media has not confirmed this.
On February 28, 2026, President Donald Trump, from a situation room at Mar-a-Lago, oversaw the launch of Operation Epic Fury, a joint US-Israeli military operation targeting Iran's nuclear sites, ballistic missile forces, and leadership. Trump described the strikes as a 'major combat operation' to eliminate 'imminent threats' from the Iranian regime, stating in an address, 'To the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand.' He urged Iranians to stay indoors during the bombings and then 'take over your government,' offering 'complete immunity' to members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, armed forces, and police if they lay down arms, or 'certain death' otherwise.
Israeli officials claimed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader since 1989, was killed in an air strike, with his body found under rubble; his compound in Tehran was reported leveled by satellite imagery. Trump celebrated on Truth Social, calling Khamenei 'one of the most evil people in History' and stating the operation provides 'the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.' US officials were assessing the reports as of that day.
The strikes proceeded without congressional authorization, though the Gang of Eight was notified shortly before. Democrats were divided: progressives like Senators Bernie Sanders and Jeff Merkley declared 'no war with Iran,' while moderates such as Senator John Fetterman praised Trump for actions 'necessary to produce real peace in the region.' Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries demanded briefings and a vote on war powers resolutions to limit further action without approval. Bipartisan measures by Senators Tim Kaine and Rand Paul, and Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, were set for votes, with Kaine calling the strikes 'a colossal mistake.' Republicans, including Senator Lindsey Graham, supported the operation, with Graham declaring, 'The mothership of terrorism is about to go down.'
Iran retaliated by firing missiles at Israel, most intercepted, and at a US base in Bahrain, hitting an empty warehouse with no casualties. Exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi hailed the strikes as aid to the people, urging military forces to abandon the regime. No US ground troops are planned, and Trump indicated bombings would continue as needed for 'PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST.'
