U.S. Strikes on Iran Declared Most Lethal Aerial Operation in History

Defense Secretary Hegseth says Operation Epic Fury killed Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth broke his silence on the U.S. strikes against Iran, calling Operation Epic Fury the "most lethal, most complex, and most-precision aerial operation in history." The statement came after the U.S. and Israel launched waves of strikes early Saturday morning against Iran, culminating in President Trump confirming that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. Iran retaliated by firing drones and ballistic missiles at Israel and targets across the Gulf states.

Why it matters

The strikes represent a major escalation in the long-standing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with the killing of the Iranian Supreme Leader seen as a significant blow to the regime's authority and power structure. The operation marks a shift from previous administrations' approaches of managing the Iran issue through sanctions and negotiations.

The details

Hegseth placed the strikes in the context of nearly 50 years of Iranian aggression against Americans, stating that unlike previous presidents, Trump "began dealing with this cancer." He warned the Iranian navy "will be destroyed" and issued a broader declaration that the U.S. will "hunt you down, and we will kill you" if Iran kills or threatens Americans. Hegseth also made clear the U.S. did not view itself as the aggressor, stating Iran "had their chance, yet refused to make a deal."

  • The U.S. and Israel launched the strikes early Saturday morning (March 2, 2026).
  • President Trump confirmed the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the same day (March 2, 2026).
  • Iran retaliated by firing drones and ballistic missiles at Israel and targets across the Gulf states within hours of the initial strikes (March 2, 2026).

The players

Pete Hegseth

The U.S. Defense Secretary who broke his silence on the U.S. strikes against Iran, calling Operation Epic Fury the "most lethal, most complex, and most-precision aerial operation in history."

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The Iranian Supreme Leader who was killed in the U.S. and Israeli strikes, marking a significant blow to the regime's authority and power structure.

Donald Trump

The U.S. President who confirmed the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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What they’re saying

“For almost fifty years, Iran has targeted and killed Americans, always seeking the world's most powerful weapons to further their radical cause. Last night, unlike any previous president, President Trump began dealing with this cancer.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary (X)

“If you kill or threaten Americans anywhere in the world — as Iran has — then we will hunt you down, and we will kill you.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary (X)

“The United States did not start this conflict, but we will finish it.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary (X)

What’s next

The U.S. and its allies will likely continue to monitor the situation in Iran closely, as the regime attempts to navigate the succession crisis and potential power struggles following the killing of Khamenei. Further military or diplomatic actions against Iran cannot be ruled out.

The takeaway

The U.S. strikes on Iran represent a significant shift in Washington's approach, moving from decades of managing the Iran issue through sanctions and negotiations to a more assertive, military-focused strategy aimed at decisively confronting the regime's aggression and regional influence.