War in the Middle East: US and Israel Launch “Operation Epic Fury” Against Iran

TEHRAN — The Middle East has plunged into a state of high-intensity conflict following a massive, coordinated military campaign launched by Israel and the United States against Iran on Saturday.

The operation, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” by the U.S. and “Roaring Lion” by Israel, involved waves of airstrikes targeting strategic infrastructure in Tehran and several other major cities, including Isfahan, Qom, and Karaj.

Key Developments

• Targeted Strikes: Explosions rocked central Tehran, with reports indicating strikes near the presidential palace and the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
• U.S. Involvement: President Donald Trump confirmed that the U.S. has begun “major combat operations” to eliminate nuclear threats and Iranian missile capabilities, even hinting at a goal of regime change.
• Retaliation: Iran has already launched a “crushing response,” firing missile barrages at Israel and targeting U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE.
• Casualties: Early reports from Iranian state media indicate at least five children were killed when a strike hit an elementary school in southern Iran. In the UAE, one person was killed by falling shrapnel.

A Region on the Brink

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a nationwide state of emergency, warning that a large-scale retaliatory attack is imminent. Across Israel, sirens have been blaring as air defense systems work to intercept incoming fire.+1

The escalations follow a breakdown in nuclear negotiations in Geneva just days prior. Analysts warn that this is no longer a “shadow war” but a direct, overt confrontation that could reshape the geopolitical landscape of the entire region.

International Impact

The conflict has caused immediate chaos in global travel and markets:

• Airspace Closures: Iran, Israel, Iraq, Jordan, and several Gulf nations have closed their airspace to civilian traffic.
• Diplomatic Outcry: The European Union and world powers have called for “maximum restraint,” while the Indian Embassy has issued an urgent advisory for its citizens in the region to remain indoors.

“The hour of your freedom is at hand,” President Trump stated in a video message addressed to the Iranian people, urging an uprising against the current regime.