The United States and Israel have conducted a massive opening salvo against Iran, striking more than 1,000 targets across the country in the first 24 hours of major combat operations. The coordinated campaign, named Operation Epic Fury by US Central Command, involved a vast array of American combat platforms, from stealth bombers to naval destroyers, executed alongside the Israeli military's Operation Roaring Lion.
President Donald Trump announced the beginning of "major combat operations" in a video message early Saturday morning, following weeks of a significant US military build-up in the region. The strikes targeted command centres of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, missile sites, navy warships, and critical communication infrastructure.
Scale of US Firepower Revealed
US Central Command provided a detailed, though not exhaustive, breakdown of the assets involved. The operation included stealth B-2 Spirit bombers armed with 2,000-pound bombs and fifth-generation fighter jets like the F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor. Destroyers launched Tomahawk cruise missiles, while aircraft carriers in the region launched F/A-18 Super Hornets and F-35C variants.
Significantly, the US employed new Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones, described by Central Command as "American-made retribution." These expendable drones are modelled after Iranian-designed Shahed drones. MQ-9 Reaper drones were also used for combat and reconnaissance.
Electronic Warfare and Defensive Posture
The initial phase featured extensive suppression operations to degrade Iranian air defences, enabling subsequent strikes. The US also deployed electronic attack planes and airborne early warning aircraft, which can detect and track targets for fighters like the F-22 in real-time.
Alongside offensive systems, defensive assets including Patriot and THAAD missile batteries were activated. These systems engaged in air defence as Iran launched its own missile salvos in response. There have been no credible reports of US or Israeli aircraft losses.
Ground and Long-Range Assets
The list of involved weaponry extends to ground forces. High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS)—weapons famed for their effectiveness in the war in Ukraine—were deployed. The operation also involved "special capabilities we can't list," according to the US Central Command statement.
The Israeli military, conducting a parallel campaign, has struck hundreds of additional targets. Reports indicate much of Iran's military and political leadership has been killed in the combined operations, which have also resulted in some US personnel losses.
Context and Aftermath
The military action follows a period of heightened tension and represents the most significant direct confrontation between the US and Iran in decades. The scale of the opening strikes suggests a strategy aimed at crippling Iranian military capabilities rapidly.
As operations continue, the focus will shift to assessing the damage inflicted on Iranian infrastructure and the potential for regional escalation. The US and Israel have signalled their commitment to sustaining the campaign until their strategic objectives are met.