Estados Unidos e Israel iniciaron grandes ataques militares contra Irán el 28 de febrero de 2026, en una operación denominada Operación Epic Fury, destinada a destruir la infraestructura nuclear, misiles balísticos y derrocar al régimen. El presidente Donald Trump anunció la acción en un vídeo de ocho minutos, instando a los iraníes a derrocar a su gobierno una vez concluyan los ataques. Informes indican que el líder supremo iraní, ayatolá Ali Khamenei, fue asesinado, aunque los medios estatales iraníes no lo han confirmado.
El 28 de febrero de 2026, el presidente Donald Trump, desde una sala de situaciones en Mar-a-Lago, supervisó el lanzamiento de la Operación Epic Fury, una operación militar conjunta de EE. UU. e Israel dirigida a los sitios nucleares de Irán, fuerzas de misiles balísticos y liderazgo. Trump describió los ataques como una 'operación de combate mayor' para eliminar 'amenazas inminentes' del régimen iraní, declarando en un discurso: 'Al gran y orgulloso pueblo de Irán, les digo esta noche que la hora de su libertad está cerca'. Instó a los iraníes a permanecer en sus casas durante los bombardeos y luego 'tomar el control de su gobierno', ofreciendo 'inmunidad completa' a miembros del Cuerpo de la Guardia Revolucionaria Islámica, fuerzas armadas y policía si deponen las armas, o 'muerte cierta' en caso contrario. nnIsraeli 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. nnThe 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.' nnIran 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.'
