The Catalyst: “Operation Epic Fury”

Published on: February 28, 2026

On Saturday, February 28, 2026, a joint operation between the United States and Israel—alternatively called “Operation Roaring Lion” by Israeli officials—targeted the heart of Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Breadth of Strikes: Air raids hit 24 provinces, prioritizing ballistic missile silos, nuclear research facilities, and Command & Control centers.
Targeting Leadership: Approximately 30 munitions were dropped on the Supreme Leader’s compound in Tehran. While Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reportedly in a hardened underground bunker, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated there are “signs” he may have been incapacitated.
The U.S. Rationale: President Trump framed the operation as a response to Iran’s accelerating nuclear program and the “wicked” suppression of internal protests earlier this year.

Table of Contents

Iran’s Response: Regional Reprisals

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) retaliated within hours, declaring that there would be “no leniency” for the U.S. or Israel. They have expanded the theater of war by striking U.S. assets across several Gulf nations:

Location	Target Type	Reported Impact
Bahrain	U.S. Navy 5th Fleet HQ	Significant infrastructure damage in Manama.
Qatar	Al-Udeid Air Base	Massive explosions reported near runways.
UAE	Al-Dhafra Air Base	Interceptions reported; shrapnel damage in Abu Dhabi.
Israel	Major Cities	Dozens of ballistic missiles launched; sirens active nationwide.
Iraq/Syria	U.S. Outposts	Coordinated drone and rocket strikes.

The Humanitarian and Civil Toll

The scale of the conflict has immediately affected civilian life and global logistics:

Casualties: The Iranian Red Crescent reports at least 201 fatalities within Iran. In the UAE, at least one person was killed by falling debris, and a drone strike caused a fire in the Palm Jumeirah residential district of Dubai.
Global Travel: Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, and the UAE is currently closed. Major international hubs are grounded, leaving thousands of travelers stranded.
Diplomacy: An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council is being convened tonight to attempt to de-escalate the situation before it turns into a full-scale regional war.