All articles tagged with #operation epic fury
CNN profiles the 13 U.S. service members killed in Operation Epic Fury, honoring their lives through intimate family memories and biographical portraits while underscoring the ongoing human cost of the Iran war.
The 2026 Royal International Air Tattoo has been canceled after discussions with the RAF and USAF over access to RAF Fairford amid the Middle East conflict and Operation Epic Fury. A relocation for 2026 was not feasible, but RIAT27 is planned to return to RAF Fairford with fallback premises if the war continues. The event, which typically draws tens of thousands of visitors and features major fighter aircraft, has a history of cancellations in 2008, 2020, and 2021 (the 2021 edition went virtual).
Michael Bay will direct Universal Pictures’ Operation Epic Fury, a true‑story rescue drama based on Mitchell Zuckoff’s forthcoming book about the 1980 Iran mission to rescue two downed U.S. pilots, with HarperCollins publishing in 2027; Bay will produce alongside Erwin Stoff and Scott Gardenhour.
Facing a potential end to the ceasefire, the Pentagon is weighing renaming any renewed conflict with Iran to 'Operation Sledgehammer' (instead of 'Operation Epic Fury') to trigger the 60-day War Powers clock requiring Congress authorization; the discussions reflect plans to resume major combat under a new operation if diplomacy collapses, with Rubio declaring Epic Fury over and officials indicating the pause does not yet restart full fighting.
At a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst said the Iran war has cost about $25 billion so far—mainly for munitions—making it the administration’s first official price tag for the two‑month conflict; early costs were around $11 billion in the first week, with discussions of a possible supplemental request up to $200 billion, though no final figure has been settled.
A House Select Committee on China warns that Airbus Space satellites may have supplied near‑real‑time, annotated imagery of U.S. military assets to a Chinese company (MizarVision) in the 48‑hour window before Operation Epic Fury, arguing the data could endanger forces and noting the committee’s ongoing scrutiny of Airbus’s ties to China.
Twelve U.S. service members were wounded when a ballistic missile strike hit Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, with at least two in serious condition and a KC-135 refueling aircraft reportedly on fire. The attack occurs as the U.S.-led Operation Epic Fury enters its fifth week, amid ongoing U.S.- and Israel-led actions against Iran; CENTCOM says 303 Americans have been injured since the start, most minor, with 273 returned to duty, and 13 U.S. service members killed so far.
The Pentagon is weighing sending up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East, in addition to about 1,500 already deployed, as the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran continues; President Trump has extended a 10-day pause on strikes against Iran’s energy sector to allow ceasefire talks, with Pakistan mediating and allies cautious about direct military involvement in the broader confrontation.
House Republicans led by Rep. Mike Rogers criticized the Pentagon for not providing enough details about U.S. operations in Iran during a classified briefing, demanding more information on troop plans, options, and rationale as thousands of U.S. troops are deployed to the Middle East, warning that insufficient answers could jeopardize support for the ongoing campaign.
The 82nd Airborne Division’s leadership and headquarters have been ordered to the Middle East as the White House weighs a possible ground invasion of Iran, part of a broader Pentagon push including the Immediate Response Force and additional Marines and ships, signaling an escalation in U.S. options in the Iran crisis.
Former Defense Secretary James Mattis warned that the U.S. is fighting a limited war in Iran against a regime that is fighting for its survival, and rebuilding trust with international allies will take years (roughly eight to 12). He argued the regime likely won’t fall soon, criticized vague end-state declarations for Operation Epic Fury, and stressed the need for credible commitments and a strong economy to maintain broad allied support. He urged a strategic, patient approach and cited the U.S. Constitution as a stabilizing factor.
Reuters reports that Trump, already leaning toward action, approved a US-Israeli strike after Netanyahu pressed to kill Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei; the operation, Epic Fury, began Feb 28 and killed Khamenei, fueling Iranian counterstrikes and a regional escalation. Officials warned of heavy civilian and military costs, while the CIA reportedly doubted that killing Khamenei would trigger regime change.
The United States said it attacked hardened Iranian missile sites along the Strait of Hormuz with 5,000-pound deep-penetrator munitions as part of Operation Epic Fury, citing risks to international shipping. The strikes mark an escalation in the Iran confrontation, with discussions of a broader war footprint, including a possible Kharg Island ground operation and the deployment of Marines; Israel signaled limited intelligence support at this stage amid ongoing coordination with Washington.
Leaked audio from a private Iranian meeting alleges Mojtaba Khamenei was with his father in Tehran when he stepped outside for a moment, narrowly escaping a fatal Israeli strike on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound; the recording describes heavy casualties among senior officials and relatives, including the killing of military leaders, though the claims remain unverified.
US Central Command confirmed B-52 strikes on Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury, with eyewitness videos and outlets reporting powerful explosions across major cities including Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan amid an ongoing nighttime operation; the story is developing.