Jerusalem/Washington/Tehran: In a dramatic and significant escalation of Middle Eastern tensions, US-Israel Joint Military Strikes on Iran Operation Epic Fury Launches as the United States and Israel carried out a coordinated assault on the Iranian capital, Tehran. The operation, which began late Saturday, has sent shockwaves across the region and prompted vows of immediate and severe retaliation from Iranian officials.
According to initial media reports and official statements, the Israeli Defense Minister confirmed the joint nature of the operation, stating that the Israeli military, alongside the US Air Force, conducted the strikes. The attack targeted multiple locations within Tehran, with witnesses reporting at least three powerful explosions that triggered emergency sirens across the city. The blasts were described as particularly intense, shaking buildings in the capital.
Beyond Tehran, reports emerged of simultaneous strikes in the vicinity of Iran’s Bushehr province, home to a critical nuclear power plant. In response to the unfolding attack, the Iranian Navy has been placed on its highest state of alert. Compounding the sense of a large-scale operation, approximately 20 US and Israeli fighter jets were reportedly tracked flying over the Daraa region in Syria, heading in the direction of the Iranian border.
“Operation Epic Fury”: The US Perspective
In an emergency address from the White House, US President Donald Trump announced the commencement of what he termed a “broad operation” against Iran, codenamed “Operation Epic Fury.”
“For decades, the Iranian regime has chanted ‘Death to America’ and has been responsible for attacks on American interests throughout the region,” President Trump stated. He asserted that the operation’s goal is to neutralize the threat posed by Iran, declaring, “We are going to completely destroy the Iranian navy. This operation may come at a cost, including American lives, but we will not allow Iran to ever obtain a nuclear weapon. We will obliterate their missile program.”
President Trump issued a direct ultimatum to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), offering a “complete exemption” if they surrender. “If they do not,” he warned, “they will face certain death. The United States will not allow an extremist regime to flourish.”
Israel’s Stated Objective: A Pre-Emptive Strike
Israeli defense officials provided further details on the scope and planning of the operation, framing it as a necessary pre-emptive measure. An official stated that the attack had been in planning for months, with the final timing decided weeks ago. The official characterized the strikes as the “first wave” of a sustained campaign.
“These are pre-emptive strikes designed to mitigate an immediate threat emanating from Iran,” the official explained. “We will conduct intense and coordinated strikes for the next four days. The situation in Tehran will be fundamentally different after this.” The stated targets included the Iranian Intelligence Headquarters, the Office of the President, and the Ministry of Information. Reports also suggested an attempt was made to target the Iranian President, though this remains unconfirmed.
Ground Reports from Iran: Chaos and Confirmation
Iranian media outlets provided a chaotic picture of the ground reality. Reports confirmed that multiple missiles struck University Street and the Jomhouri (Republic) area in central Tehran. Strikes were also reported in other major cities and strategic locations, including Qom, Khorramabad, and Isfahan. There were unconfirmed reports that Mehrabad Airport, a key military and civilian airfield in Tehran, was also targeted.
Crucially, sources indicated that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was not in Tehran at the time of the attack and has been moved to a secure, undisclosed location. In the immediate aftermath, Iran closed its airspace, and neighboring Iraq also suspended all air traffic as a precautionary measure.
International Reactions and Regional Impact
The strikes have drawn immediate international attention. Russian media, citing exclusive footage, claimed the attack was led by Israel and resulted in the death of several Iranian military commanders.
On the home front, Israel has declared a state of emergency. Schools have been closed, and citizens have been instructed to remain in or near designated safe rooms and shelters.
Iran’s Pledge of Vengeance
The most critical development following the strikes is the response from Tehran. A high-ranking Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, delivered a stark warning: “In response to the American-Israeli attacks, we are preparing the most powerful retaliatory strike. Israel has chosen a path whose consequences are beyond its control.”
This statement confirms that the region is now on the brink of a full-scale war. The coming hours and days will be critical in determining whether this conflict can be contained or if it will spiral into a wider, devastating regional conflagration. The world watches with bated breath as two nuclear-capable powers engage in direct confrontation.
