US and Israel Launch Operation Epic Fury Against Iran

On February 28, 2026, Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu launched Operation Epic Fury, a coordinated military campaign against Iran aimed at regime change and the dismantling of its nuclear and missile programs. The initial strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei. The conflict quickly escalated into a regional war, with the U.S. and Israel striking over 15,000 targets, including nuclear facilities and the Kharg Island oil terminal, while Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone barrages across Israel and Gulf states.

Iran responded by effectively blockading the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting roughly 20% of global oil and LNG supplies. This triggered the largest energy supply disruption in history, pushing Brent crude prices above $120 per barrel and causing global inflation spikes. To stabilize markets, the International Energy Agency coordinated a record release of 400 million barrels of emergency oil, with the U.S. contributing 172 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Despite these efforts, the blockade led to fuel rationing in Asia and surging pump prices in the U.S. and Europe.

Diplomatic efforts mediated by Pakistan stalled as Iran rejected a 15-point U.S. peace plan, demanding war reparations and sovereignty over the strait. By late March, the U.S. shifted to a naval blockade of Iranian ports and deployed thousands of Marines and paratroopers to the region. The war has caused massive casualties, with over 3,000 reported dead in Iran and over 1,000 in Lebanon, where Israel launched a ground invasion to push Hezbollah north of the Litani River.