Operation Epic Fury

Water and energy infrastructure has become a main deterrence lever for Iran against the United States. Iranian Foreign Minister Aragchi warned Gulf states that striking critical infrastructure would occur if U.S. military strikes continued. Operational history, including debris hitting the Doha West facility and reported attacks on Qeshm Island desalination facilities, confirms this threat.

The article analyzes the U.S. air campaign in Operation Epic Fury against Iran, which began on Feb. 28, targeting military and dual-use facilities. It examines the strategic effectiveness of airpower using principles from Air Force Doctrine Publication 3-02 and highlights the complexity of multi-domain conflicts involving naval fires, sanctions, and diplomacy.

The article discusses the US's lack of a coherent strategy in its conflict with Iran, highlighting President Trump's inconsistent rhetoric ranging from threats of military action to offers of peace. It notes Iran's resilience despite US actions, the depletion of US munitions, and the failure to achieve US objectives such as regime change or halting Iran's nuclear capabilities. The article also mentions Saudi Arabia's push for renewed diplomacy and Pakistan's role as a potential mediator.

Israeli President Herzog criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for spreading antisemitic rhetoric and endangering New Yorkers, while praising U.S. President Trump's support for Israel. Herzog also warned of Iran's strategic threat to global stability, citing its missile program and terror activities.

President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. conflict with Iran may continue as Tehran's military capabilities weaken, despite earlier claims of decimating Iran's forces. Renewed hostilities followed the collapse of a June agreement, with U.S. strikes targeting Iranian sites in response to missile attacks.

President Trump warned that conflict with Iran could continue, stating the U.S. is weakening Iran's military capabilities and vowing to 'win.' He expressed skepticism about reaching a deal, accusing Iran of lying in negotiations, as renewed fighting complicates earlier claims that Iran's military power had been eliminated.

The Pentagon faces declining stockpiles of Patriot and THAAD missile interceptors due to prolonged conflict in the Middle East, prompting concerns about global defense capabilities. A $67 billion emergency funding request includes $18.2 billion for advanced missile replacements, while the Pentagon shifts toward procuring low-cost munitions to address production challenges.

A War Powers Resolution to limit President Donald Trump's military actions in Iran failed in the U.S. Senate with a 49-50 vote. Three Republican senators—Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Susan Collins—supported the measure, while 49 Republicans opposed it. The House passed the resolution, but the Senate did not, despite renewed strikes by U.S. and Saudi forces against Iran-backed militias in Iraq.

A War Powers Resolution to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran failed in the U.S. Senate with a 49-50 vote. Three Republican senators—Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Susan Collins—supported the measure, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against it. Recent U.S. and Saudi strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq followed Iranian drone attacks, raising oil prices and gasoline costs.

The U.S. has depleted 65% of its Patriot missile interceptors and 38% of THAAD interceptors during the conflict with Iran, according to a CSIS analysis, raising readiness concerns for future conflicts. The Pentagon awarded Lockheed Martin a $58.6 billion contract to produce Patriot missiles through 2032 to rebuild stockpiles.

China is surpassing the US in satellite capabilities with its BeiDou system, which has 56 satellites compared to the US' 31 GPS satellites. China developed BeiDou after being denied GPS access in 1996 during a military operation near Taiwan and now exports the system via the Digital Silk Road. The Pentagon has sanctioned Chinese companies for providing satellite imagery to Iran during Operation Epic Fury, highlighting tensions in the US-China space competition.

The Pentagon created a new casualty category called 'Overseas Operations' to account for U.S. troops killed and wounded in renewed U.S.-Iran fighting, following the conclusion of 'Operation Epic Fury.' Four soldiers killed in July and dozens wounded were removed from the official Iran war tally and placed in the new category, with the total wounded now at 642.

The Pentagon created a new casualty category called 'Overseas Operations' to account for U.S. military casualties from renewed U.S.-Iran fighting, as 'Operation Epic Fury' has officially concluded. Four soldiers killed and dozens wounded in recent strikes were removed from the Iran war tally and added to the new category, with the total wounded now at 642.

The Pentagon has established a new casualty category for U.S.-Iran fighting following the conclusion of 'Operation Epic Fury.' The category is part of the official casualty system to track those killed or wounded in the renewed conflict.

The Pentagon created a new casualty category called 'Overseas Operations' to account for U.S. troops killed and wounded in renewed U.S.-Iran fighting after 'Operation Epic Fury' concluded. Four soldiers killed and dozens wounded in recent clashes were moved from the Iran war tally to the new category, with the total wounded now at 642.

The Pentagon has created a new casualty category called 'Overseas Operations' to track U.S. troops killed and wounded in renewed U.S.-Iran fighting after the conclusion of 'Operation Epic Fury.' Four soldiers killed this month and dozens wounded in recent strikes were moved from the Iran war tally, with the total wounded now at 642 across both categories. The conflict involves U.S. and Iran strikes over the Strait of Hormuz, following a tenuous ceasefire in April.

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a 'productive' meeting discussing the Iran war and potential Saudi-Israel normalization, with no public signs of their recent tensions. Both leaders emphasized coordination on preventing Iran's nuclear program and confirmed no demands for troop withdrawals or discussions on the F-35 sale to Turkey.

Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Donald Trump for the eighth time, but arrives with diminished influence as their interests on Iran have diverged. Trump paused U.S. strikes in Iran and is pursuing negotiations, leaving Netanyahu largely uninformed and preparing for potential conflict. Netanyahu has struggled to coordinate with Trump, relying instead on Secretary of State Marco Rubio for updates.

Over 600 US military service members have been wounded since February 2026 when President Trump ordered strikes against Iran, with 417 attributed to Operation Epic Fury and 207 to Overseas Operations. The Pentagon revised casualty figures, moving four deaths from Operation Epic Fury to Overseas Operations, drawing criticism over transparency and data manipulation.

The Pentagon reduced the U.S. death toll in a conflict with Iran from 18 to 14 by reclassifying four service members' deaths as occurring after a declared cease-fire. The Trump administration later added these deaths to a new category labeled 'Overseas operations casualties starting July 7th 2026,' distinct from 'Operation Epic Fury,' to obscure ongoing hostilities. The administration claims the conflict is now a separate operation, delaying congressional oversight under the War Powers Resolution.

The Pentagon updated its war casualty database, adding over 140 wounded service members and introducing a new 'Overseas Operations' category for casualties starting July 7. The official toll for Operation Epic Fury now lists 14 service members killed and more than 400 wounded in action.

The Pentagon updated its war casualty database, adding over 140 wounded service members and introducing a new 'Overseas Operations' category. The official toll for the US-Iran war phase Operation Epic Fury now lists 14 service members killed and more than 400 wounded in action.

Defense contractors like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin have seen significant stock declines despite U.S. military spending on the Iran conflict and a proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget. Investors initially surged but faced losses as markets discounted prior expectations, with analysts noting gains were already priced in before conflicts escalated.

The Pentagon acknowledged a temporary data disruption caused a discrepancy in the reported death toll for Operation Epic Fury, initially listing 18 deaths but later showing 14. The Defense Department denied claims from the New York Times that four service members were removed due to a post-ceasefire timeline, calling the report a 'non-story.' Senate Democrats demanded a comprehensive accounting of casualties.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Washington, D.C., to meet with President Donald Trump and attend the memorial service of Sen. Lindsey Graham. Netanyahu praised Graham as a 'dear friend' and highlighted his support for Israel and the U.S.-Israel alliance. The article also mentions recent joint operations against Iran and ongoing military actions in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Washington, D.C., to meet with President Donald Trump and attend the memorial service of late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Netanyahu described Graham as a 'dear friend' and praised his support for Israel and the alliance between the U.S. and Israel.

The Pentagon's online list of U.S. service members killed in the Iran war excludes four soldiers who died in recent fighting, despite their names being included in a Wednesday press release about their remains' transfer. The Defense Casualty Analysis System website lists 14 deaths, down from 18 previously, for Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-Israel conflict in Iran launched on February 28.

The Pentagon's official list of service members killed in the Iran war no longer includes four soldiers who died in recent fighting, despite their names being mentioned in a Wednesday press release about their remains' transfer. The updated list on the Defense Casualty Analysis System website now shows 14 deaths, down from 18 previously.

US President Donald Trump told Axios he is considering restarting major combat operations in Iran, potentially larger than 'Operation Epic Fury,' and stated that Iran 'hasn't received enough pain yet.' US strikes in Iran since June 27 have killed at least 53 people, including three children, according to Al Jazeera.

Sen. Jon Ossoff questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about claims the U.S. military achieved an 'overwhelming victory' in Iran, referencing Hegseth's April statements on Operation Epic Fury and Iran's military capability.

The Trump administration has resumed air strikes against Iran but avoided publicly acknowledging the conflict as a war. U.S. forces expanded attacks to civilian infrastructure, and congressional officials have not received classified briefings on the campaign. At least 18 U.S. service members and over 1,700 Iranians have been killed, with the Pentagon downplaying the conflict as an 'operation' and omitting Iran in official statements.

The ceasefire in the U.S. campaign against Iran, Operation Epic Fury, has collapsed after Iran attacked commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. retaliated with strikes, leading to sustained combat, blockades, and attacks on multiple countries, while analysts apply Clausewitz’s principles to assess the war’s strategic design.

Two US service members were killed and several others injured during an Iranian missile and drone attack in Jordan on Friday, according to the Pentagon. A third US service member is missing, marking the first publicly acknowledged American military fatalities in the Middle East conflict since March. The US resumed combat operations against Iran after a ceasefire collapsed.

The Trump administration's FY 2026 supplemental request includes $87.6 billion for the Iran War (Operation Epic Fury), with $768 million allocated to the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) for activities aimed at terminating Iran's nuclear program. The Senate Armed Services Committee is set to question Jules W. Hurst III, a nominee for Under Secretary of Defense, about these funding details.

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Operation Epic Fury, a joint military operation against Iran aimed at overthrowing the Islamic Republic and preventing it from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Trump declared the US-Iran ceasefire over, with both sides continuing military strikes. The US attacked over 80 Iranian targets after Iran struck commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, while a blockade of Iranian ports led to ongoing clashes.

The fallout from Operation Epic Fury is affecting Trump's private discussions with NATO allies. Democrats have distanced themselves from Senate candidate Graham Platner following rape allegations, and Team USA was defeated by Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16. Additional headlines include a court incident involving an accused assassin, a nuclear test by Beijing, and political shifts with federal lawyers defecting to Democrats.

President Trump is attending the NATO summit in Turkey amid tensions with European allies over U.S. operations against Iran, particularly regarding military base access and political criticism. Trump has expressed disappointment in allies' lack of support and is expected to push for increased defense spending during the summit.

President Donald Trump arrives at the Turkey-held NATO summit with frustration toward European allies for their lack of support during U.S.-led operations against Iran. The summit will address defense spending and NATO strategy, but Trump's criticism of allies like Spain, which called the U.S. strikes 'illegal, absurd and cruel,' will overshadow discussions. Trump emphasizes his attendance due to his relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Experts warn that Iran's continued construction at the IAEA-uninspected Pickaxe Mountain facility in the Zagros Mountains raises concerns about compliance with the Trump-era MOU. Satellite imagery from June 2026 shows ongoing activity at the site, which analysts suggest could become a nuclear enrichment plant if negotiations fail. The IAEA has not responded to queries about seeking access to the facility.