Overview
- Operation Epic Fury began with sustained air and naval attacks targeting Iranian leadership, command-and-control, nuclear and missile infrastructure, and naval assets.
- Trump claimed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed, a claim Iran disputed as it said its government continued to function.
- Iran launched retaliatory strikes on U.S. bases, Israel, and multiple Gulf states, prompting condemnations from regional governments.
- Trump warned Americans that U.S. service members could suffer casualties as officials and analysts described a campaign that could last days.
- The strikes proceeded without congressional authorization and drew mixed allied responses, with some partners declining to participate over legal concerns.