U.S. Launches Extensive Strikes Against Iran in ‘Operation Epic Fury’
WASHINGTON – The United States has initiated large-scale military operations against Iran, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” targeting ballistic missile facilities and command-and-control infrastructure, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed. The strikes, which began 1:15 am ET eight days ago, mark a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations and, according to one U.S. commander, could “change human history.”
The operation’s initial phase has involved a comprehensive deployment of U.S. bomber aircraft. Boeing B-52H Stratofortresses conducted the first strikes on Iranian ballistic missile facilities and command positions. Subsequently, B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers executed “uncontested surgical strikes” against missile sites deeper within Iranian territory, CENTCOM officials stated. This signifies the use of all three long-range bomber types in the U.S. Air Force arsenal – the B-1B Lancer, the B-2 Spirit, and the B-52 Stratofortress – in the campaign.
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, described the operations as moving from “deterrence into active combat.” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth echoed this sentiment, stating the strikes were designed to be decisively overwhelming, adding, “This was never meant to be a fair fight, and it is not a fair fight. We are punching them while they’re down.”
Footage released by CENTCOM Public Affairs shows airmen preparing a B-52H Stratofortress for launch in support of the operation. The B-52H, a mainstay of the U.S. Air Force since 1965, is capable of carrying large payloads over long distances and delivering both precision-guided and conventional weapons. Its ability to engage targets from a distance, without entering heavily defended airspace, is a key component of the current strategy.
The strikes have focused on dismantling the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritizing locations identified as operational threats. While details regarding specific targets remain limited, the focus on missile infrastructure and command nodes suggests an attempt to degrade Iran’s ability to project power and respond to potential future actions.
The scale and intensity of “Operation Epic Fury” represent a substantial shift in U.S. policy toward Iran, moving beyond previous strategies of deterrence. The long-term implications of this escalation remain to be seen, but the operation has already drawn international attention and raised concerns about regional stability.
