Massive airstrikes, naval dominance, and precision attacks mark a powerful phase of the U.S.–Israel operation against Iran’s missile and military infrastructure
The ongoing military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury has rapidly become one of the most significant modern military operations in the Middle East, with the United States claiming strong battlefield momentum against Iran’s military infrastructure. Launched on February 28, 2026, the operation is a coordinated U.S.–Israel military effort aimed at dismantling Iran’s missile capabilities, weakening its military command structure, and preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
According to U.S. officials and military reports, the early phases of Operation Epic Fury have delivered substantial strategic results. In the first 100 hours of the operation alone, American forces reportedly struck nearly 2,000 Iranian targets, including missile launch sites, drone facilities, military airfields, and command-and-control centers. The campaign has been conducted using a combination of advanced airpower, naval strike capabilities, and long-range precision weapons.
The scale of the operation is unprecedented in recent regional conflicts. U.S. forces have deployed aircraft carriers, strategic bombers, fighter jets, cruise missiles, and special operations units across the Middle East. Military analysts describe the campaign as a multi-domain offensive that operates “from seabed to space and cyberspace,” targeting Iranian military assets across land, sea, air, and digital networks.
American commanders say this overwhelming military pressure has significantly reduced Iran’s ability to carry out missile and drone attacks. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Iranian missile strikes have dropped by about 90 percent, while drone attacks have decreased by roughly 83 percent since the start of the operation. The decline is largely attributed to the systematic destruction of Iran’s missile launchers and drone deployment systems.
One of the key objectives of Operation Epic Fury has been the elimination of Iran’s ability to threaten U.S. forces and regional allies. Early strikes targeted facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as air defense systems and military command centers believed to coordinate Iran’s regional operations. By disabling these systems, the United States aims to achieve long-term air superiority and operational dominance in the region.
Naval operations have also played a critical role in the campaign. U.S. naval forces have reportedly sunk more than 30 Iranian vessels, including warships and a drone-launch platform designed to deploy attack drones at sea. These maritime strikes are intended to neutralize Iran’s naval capabilities and protect shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters.
Airpower has been another decisive factor. Strategic bombers and fighter aircraft have conducted precision strikes on deeply buried missile facilities and underground military sites. Some operations have involved heavy bombs targeting hardened bunkers and command centers used by Iran’s military leadership. The campaign has also included the use of long-range cruise missiles launched from U.S. naval vessels, including Tomahawk missiles, which are capable of striking targets hundreds of miles away with high accuracy.
In addition to conventional weapons, the United States has reportedly deployed new technologies during the conflict. Among them is the Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS), a one-way attack drone designed to strike targets cheaply and efficiently while overwhelming enemy defenses. Such systems represent a growing trend in modern warfare, where mass-produced drones are used alongside traditional airpower.
Despite the significant military gains claimed by Washington, the conflict has not been without costs. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. bases and regional allies, including strikes that have resulted in casualties among American troops. These retaliatory attacks highlight the continued volatility of the conflict and the risk of further escalation across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials argue that the operation is progressing ahead of schedule and continues to weaken Iran’s military capabilities. American commanders emphasize that the campaign’s ultimate objective is to remove the threat posed by Iran’s missile arsenal and prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons.
Analysts say the momentum achieved by Operation Epic Fury could reshape the balance of power in the Middle East. If the campaign continues to degrade Iran’s military infrastructure, it may significantly limit Tehran’s ability to project power across the region through missiles, drones, and allied militias.
However, the broader geopolitical consequences remain uncertain. Some experts warn that prolonged military pressure could push Iran toward more aggressive retaliation or encourage regional escalation involving additional countries. Others argue that sustained military pressure could eventually force Iran to reconsider negotiations over its nuclear program and regional security policies.
For now, the early stages of Operation Epic Fury suggest that the United States has gained substantial operational momentum. With continued airstrikes, naval dominance, and technological superiority, Washington appears determined to maintain pressure on Iran’s military apparatus until its strategic objectives are achieved.
Whether this momentum will lead to a decisive resolution of the conflict or trigger a wider regional confrontation remains one of the most critical questions facing global security today.