One week after Operation Epic Fury began, the Trump administration confirmed the deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of top officials in U.S. strikes. Congress rejected bipartisan war powers resolutions limiting further action, deepening Republican divisions amid Iranian retaliation threats and post-regime uncertainties.
The U.S. strikes under Operation Epic Fury, launched February 28, 2026, alongside Israel to target Iran's nuclear program, missiles, and leadership, have now been confirmed to have killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and numerous high-ranking officials, per Trump administration reports. President Donald Trump claimed the operation obliterated Iran's nuclear capabilities and suggested U.S. involvement in selecting a successor, telling Reuters, "We’re going to have to choose that person along with Iran." Secretary of War Pete Hegseth noted the death of an Iranian commander plotting Trump's assassination.
Iran responded aggressively: Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli urged attacks on 'Zionist' and 'Trump’s blood' on state TV, while Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned a U.S. submarine torpedo sinking the frigate Dena off Sri Lanka, killing 87 sailors (32 rescued). Hegseth hailed it as the first enemy ship torpedoed since World War II, showcasing U.S. reach.
Congressional efforts to invoke the War Powers Resolution failed along party lines. The Senate voted 53-47 against a measure by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rand Paul (R-KY) on Wednesday; Kaine decried the lack of notice, while Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) opposed it to avoid signaling weakness. The House rejected a version by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) 219-212 on Thursday, with Khanna calling it an 'illegal and unjust war.'
The operation has split the MAGA base: critics like Tucker Carlson labeled it 'disgusting and evil,' and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene decried it as a 'war for Israel.' Supporters including Ben Shapiro and Sen. Ted Cruz defended it for security. Trump dismissed Carlson as 'not smart enough,' with early polls showing mixed but leaning Republican support.
Strikes drew on lessons from the 2002 Millennium Challenge wargame, with upgraded defenses like Aegis and THAAD. Allies including France enabled access to UAE, Jordan, and Djibouti bases post-Iranian drone attacks.
Iran's power vacuum raises risks of balkanization, with contenders like Reza Pahlavi's monarchists (31% diaspora backing), Mujahedin-e Khalq, Kurds, and potential meddling by Russia or China.
