WASHINGTON — March 3, 2026 — In a stunning blow to the Iranian regime, U.S. and Israeli forces carried out a coordinated series of precision airstrikes and special operations that eliminated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and crippled key pillars of Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities, President Donald Trump announced Tuesday.
The operation, codenamed Epic Fury, targeted Iran’s ballistic missile stockpiles, naval bases in the Persian Gulf, underground nuclear enrichment sites, and command centers linked to terrorist proxy networks across the region, according to senior U.S. officials.
U.S. Central Command confirmed that the strikes have “decisively ended” the Iranian regime’s years-long campaign of harassing international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
Speaking from the White House, President Trump described the action as “a necessary and overwhelming response to years of Iranian aggression, including direct threats against American troops and our closest ally, Israel.”
On Capitol Hill, Secretary of State Marco Rubio vigorously defended the preemptive strikes before lawmakers, citing “clear and actionable intelligence” that Iran was preparing imminent large-scale attacks on U.S. forces and regional allies. Rubio stated that the administration had fully complied with congressional notification requirements under the War Powers Resolution.
The strikes, however, have sparked fierce debate in Congress. Rep. Justin Amash (I-Michigan) immediately condemned the operation, demanding full congressional approval and warning that the executive branch had once again bypassed constitutional war powers.
Iran responded within hours with a barrage of ballistic missiles and explosive drones targeting U.S. bases in the Gulf region and allied installations. Pentagon officials confirmed that six American service members were killed and 18 others were wounded in the retaliatory attacks.
As of early Tuesday morning, March 3, major combat operations were still ongoing. U.S. and Israeli forces reported continued engagements with Iranian air defenses and naval units.
Inside Iran, reports described scenes of chaos in Tehran and other major cities. Iranian state media has gone largely silent, while unconfirmed sources indicate that a leadership council has been hastily formed to assume control following Khamenei’s death. Internet blackouts and power outages have compounded the turmoil across the country.
The White House said the operation’s objectives — neutralizing Iran’s ability to threaten the region with missiles, nuclear weapons, and proxy terrorism — have largely been achieved, though officials cautioned that the situation remains fluid.
President Trump is expected to address the nation later today as the U.S. and its allies brace for possible further Iranian retaliation while preparing for what could become a prolonged period of instability in the Middle East.
