WASHINGTON / TEHRAN, Feb 28, 2026 — The United States Department of Defense has officially designated its military campaign against Iran as Operation Epic Fury, the Pentagon announced Saturday, as joint strikes with Israeli forces underscored an escalation of hostilities in the Middle East.
The name Operation Epic Fury — shared by the Pentagon in a social media post by the Department of War and defence officials — formalises the US combat operations against Iran following days of rising tensions and a diplomatic impasse over Tehran’s missile capabilities and nuclear infrastructure.
Joint US-Israeli Offensive
According to multiple international news agencies, the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iranian military installations and strategic sites across several cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah, in what officials described as a pre-emptive action to disrupt Tehran’s offensive capabilities.
The operation represents a dramatic escalation of conflict in the region, following weeks of negotiations between Iranian and US envoys that failed to produce a breakthrough in curbing Iran’s missile program. The military build-up saw significant US force deployment in the Gulf, including aircraft carriers and warplanes positioned ahead of the offensive.
Trump’s Justification and Message
President Donald Trump, in a public address, stated that the operation was aimed at eliminating “imminent threats” to American national security by degrading Iran’s missile and military systems and preventing Tehran from acquiring long-range nuclear capability. He reiterated that defeating these threats was necessary to protect U.S. forces, allies, and critical interests in the region.
Trump also directly addressed the Iranian people, urging them to leverage the conflict as an opportunity to challenge their government. In remarks widely shared on social media, he declared that this moment could be a turning point for the Iranian populace and encouraged Iranian forces to surrender, with promises of immunity for those who laid down arms.
Iran’s Retaliation and Regional Impact
Following the initial strikes, Iranian authorities reported that missiles were launched toward Israel in a retaliatory response, raising the threat of wider conflict. Sirens blared, airspace restrictions were enforced, and emergency protocols were activated across Israeli territory in anticipation of further escalation.
The Iranian government, while acknowledging strikes on key infrastructure, has firmly denounced the offensive as illegal aggression, and vowed continued defence of its territory. The volatile situation has disrupted civil aviation in the region and prompted foreign governments to issue advisories for their citizens in the Middle East.
Strategic and Diplomatic Dimensions
Observers note that Operation Epic Fury follows a broader context of protracted tensions between Tehran, Washington, and Tel Aviv, centred on Iran’s long-standing nuclear program, regional proxy activity, and historical animosity dating back decades. Previous US-led operations — such as Operation Midnight Hammer targeting nuclear facilities — set the stage for this latest escalation.
Analysts warn that the naming of the campaign reflects not only military strategy but also political signalling, as the Trump administration seeks to project decisive action in the face of diplomatic stagnation. The operation, if prolonged, risks drawing in additional regional actors and heightening instability across the Middle East.
Civil and Global Repercussions
The immediate aftermath of the strikes has seen widespread concern for civilian safety, economic fallout — particularly in energy markets — and rising international calls for de-escalation. United Nations officials and global leaders have issued statements urging both restraint and a return to diplomatic dialogue, though fault lines remain deep.
As international tensions sharpen, the full scope and consequences of Operation Epic Fury are still emerging, with military, political, and humanitarian implications poised to shape global affairs in the coming weeks.
