U.S. Central Command Launches Operation Epic Fury Against Iran
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Washington, February 28, (NationPress) The U.S. Central Command has announced the initiation of “Operation Epic Fury” in the early hours of Saturday, characterizing it as the most substantial assembly of American military might in the region in over a generation.
In a statement released from Tampa, Florida, CENTCOM specified that the operation commenced “at the direction of the President of the United States.”
U.S. forces, along with allied partners, began targeting specific sites at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time “to dismantle the Iranian regime’s security infrastructure, focusing on locations that posed an immediate threat,” the statement indicated.
CENTCOM reported that the targets included command and control facilities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iranian air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, as well as military airfields.
“The President ordered decisive action, and our courageous Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are rising to the challenge,” stated Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.
The command clarified that the initial hours of the operation involved precision strikes using munitions launched from air, land, and sea platforms. It also confirmed that CENTCOM’s Task Force Scorpion Strike utilized low-cost one-way attack drones for the first time in a combat scenario.
After the initial wave of strikes from U.S. and partner forces, CENTCOM reported that they “successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks,” as stated in their announcement.
“There have been no reports of U.S. casualties or combat-related injuries,” it added, highlighting that damage to U.S. facilities was minimal and did not hinder operations.
CENTCOM emphasized that Operation Epic Fury signifies “the largest regional concentration of American military power in a generation,” emphasizing the scope of the ongoing campaign in and around Iran.
The statement did not provide a timeline for the operation but noted that strikes were continuing as of early Saturday.