U.S. Central Command announced that American forces have struck more than 3,000 targets during the first week of Operation Epic Fury, signaling a rapid escalation in the ongoing military campaign aimed at dismantling Iran’s military and security infrastructure. The announcement came alongside released footage showing precision strikes carried out by U.S. forces as the operation continues to expand across the region.
U.S. forces have struck over 3,000 targets in the first week of Operation Epic Fury, and we are not slowing down. pic.twitter.com/Nqn30feTQA
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 7, 2026
In a statement accompanying the footage, U.S. Central Command said the pace of the campaign is continuing to intensify. “U.S. forces have struck over 3,000 targets in the first week of Operation Epic Fury, and we are not slowing down,” the command said.
Operation Epic Fury began on February 28 at 1:15 a.m. following an order from President Donald Trump directing U.S. forces to carry out a large-scale operation against Iranian military capabilities.
According to CENTCOM, the operation was designed to dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, with early strikes prioritizing sites considered to pose an imminent threat. These included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, missile and drone launch sites, air defense systems, and military airfields.
The initial phase of the operation involved precision munitions launched from air, land, and sea-based platforms. CENTCOM also deployed a new system during the opening phase of combat.
In the first 72 hours of the operation alone, U.S. forces struck more than 1,700 targets across Iran. CENTCOM said the targets included command and control centers, the joint headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the headquarters of the IRGC Aerospace Forces, integrated air defense systems, ballistic missile sites, anti-ship missile platforms, and military communications infrastructure. Iranian naval vessels and submarines were also included among the targets.
The operation represents one of the largest concentrations of American military firepower in the region in a generation. U.S. forces involved in the campaign include B-1, B-2, and B-52 strategic bombers along with multiple fighter aircraft such as F-15, F-16, F-18, F-22, and F-35 jets. A-10 attack aircraft, EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft, airborne early warning and communications relay platforms, reconnaissance aircraft, and MQ-9 Reaper drones have also been deployed.
Naval forces supporting the operation include nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and guided-missile destroyers operating alongside refueling ships and logistics aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster and C-130 cargo planes. Defensive systems including Patriot interceptor missiles, THAAD anti-ballistic missile systems, and counter-drone technology have been used to defend U.S. installations and assets in the region.
As the campaign progressed into its first full week, the number of confirmed strikes expanded significantly, surpassing 3,000 targets as U.S. forces continued conducting coordinated attacks across multiple domains.
The escalation comes amid major political developments surrounding Iran’s leadership. President Trump announced that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had been killed during the campaign, describing the development as a turning point for the country and the broader region.
Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.…
— Commentary: Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) February 28, 2026
“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” Trump said in a statement. “This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”
Trump said the strike was made possible through intelligence and tracking systems used in coordination with Israel, stating that Iranian leadership was unable to evade detection. “He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do,” Trump said.
With thousands of targets already struck and U.S. Central Command emphasizing that operations are continuing at full pace, Operation Epic Fury has rapidly developed into one of the largest and most complex military campaigns conducted by the United States in the region in recent years.