On March 6, 2026, Israeli forces, backed by U.S. coordination, obliterated an underground command bunker in Tehran as part of the escalating Operation Epic Fury, now in its second week. The strike follows initial attacks that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top officials, with President Trump demanding Iran's unconditional surrender and pledging U.S. involvement in selecting a new leader.
The U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran, Operation Epic Fury—launched March 1 with strikes killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and crippling nuclear and missile sites—intensified on March 6 as Israeli jets targeted a subterranean bunker beneath Khamenei's former compound in Tehran. The Israel Defense Forces deployed about 50 fighter jets to drop 100 bombs on the facility, an emergency hub extending under city streets, further dismantling Iran's command structure.
U.S. officials lauded the precision. War Secretary Pete Hegseth called it a display of "unmatched skill and iron determination," highlighting seamless coordination with the IDF as a "true multiplier." Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine emphasized extraordinary inter-service and allied synergy. U.S. forces have now sunk over 30 Iranian vessels, including a drone carrier, while countering ballistic missile threats; Iran has hit U.S. bases, killing six troops in Kuwait.
President Trump ramped up demands on Truth Social: "No deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" He vowed U.S. and allies would rebuild post-victory under a "GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s)," dubbing it "MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!)." Dismissing Khamenei's son Mojtaba as a "lightweight," Trump likened the transition to Venezuela's and urged Iranians to seize freedom.
The war disrupts global energy: Iranian strikes hit refineries in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG facility declared force majeure after a drone attack, spiking gas prices 60% in Europe and 40% in Asia, with oil potentially hitting $150/barrel. Russia reportedly aids Iran with U.S. intel, but the White House insists the regime is collapsing.
Domestic polls (NPR/PBS News/Marist) show 56% American opposition, 36% approval of Trump's handling. Kurdish militias receive CIA arms but remain wary of U.S. reliability.
