US and Israel launch strikes on Iran, killing top leaders

Operation 'Epic Fury' targets Supreme Leader Khamenei and other senior figures in coordinated attacks

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The United States and Israel launched a series of coordinated strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of other senior Iranian figures. The operation, dubbed 'Epic Fury', involved thousands of U.S. service members, hundreds of advanced fighter jets, and multiple carrier strike groups. The strikes followed months of intelligence gathering by the CIA to track the movements of Iranian leadership.

Why it matters

The death of Khamenei and other top Iranian officials represents a major blow to the Iranian regime and could significantly reshape the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. The strikes raise concerns about potential retaliation from Iran and the possibility of a broader conflict in the region.

The details

The operation began on February 28, 2026, with U.S. forces delivering 'synchronized and layered effects designed to disrupt, degrade, deny and destroy Iran's ability to conduct and sustain combat operations.' The strikes targeted Revolutionary Guard facilities, Iranian air defense systems, and naval assets, including the sinking of 9 Iranian naval ships. The timing of the operation was adjusted based on intelligence shared between the U.S. and Israel.

  • On February 27, 2026, President Trump gave the order to launch 'Operation Epic Fury' at 3:38 p.m. EST.
  • The actual operation began on February 28, 2026, at 1:15 a.m. EST.
  • On March 1, 2026, Trump announced on Truth Social that U.S. forces had 'destroyed and sunk 9 Iranian Naval Ships' and would be 'going after the rest'.
  • On March 2, 2026, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the U.S. is not engaged in a 'regime change war' but that 'the regime sure did change, and the world is better off for it'.

The players

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

The Supreme Leader of Iran, who was killed in the strikes.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President who ordered the operation and announced the strikes on social media.

Gen. Dan Caine

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who provided details on the operation at a Pentagon briefing.

Pete Hegseth

The U.S. Defense Secretary, who stated that the strikes were not a 'regime change war'.

Israel's Defense Minister

Declared a state of emergency in Israel following the strikes on Iran.

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What they’re saying

“The president directed, and I quote, 'Operation Epic Fury approved ... Good luck.'”

— Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

“This is not Iraq. This is not endless. This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change, and the world is better off for it.”

— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Defense Secretary

What’s next

The U.S. and its allies will continue strikes on Iranian targets until all objectives are achieved, though the administration has stated this is not a 'regime change war'. Iran's 'new potential leadership' has suggested openness to talks with the U.S.

The takeaway

The coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes represent a major escalation in tensions with Iran, raising concerns about potential retaliation and the possibility of a broader regional conflict. The death of Khamenei and other top officials is a significant blow to the Iranian regime, but the long-term implications remain uncertain.