On February 28, 2026, Israel, in collaboration with the United States, commenced Operation Roaring Lion/Epic Fury against the Iranian regime. The objective of the operation was to significantly debilitate the regime and eliminate imminent and long-term threats to Israel and American forces in the Middle East.
The cumulative damage inflicted upon the Iranian regime during the 40-day operation has rendered it at its most vulnerable point in history.
The operation commenced with a sophisticated and surprising opening strike, which simultaneously targeted three locations: the Supreme Leader’s Office, the defense council compound, and a gathering of the senior leadership of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence. Within a mere 40 seconds, we eliminated 40 senior Iranian officials, at the top of them being Iran’s 86-year-old dictator, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The elimination of these senior officials severely compromised Iran’s ability to effectively manage the conflict as intended.
During the initial phase of the operation, we dismantled Iran’s strategic aerial defense systems, enabling the Israeli and American air forces to establish aerial superiority over Iranian airspace. Within less than 24 hours, we gained control over the airspace of Tehran, Iran’s capital city and the regime’s governing center. Throughout the operation, we destroyed the vast majority of the Iranian aerial defense systems that posed a threat to our aircrafts. The aerial superiority that the Israeli and American air forces established over Iranian airspace provided us with a substantial operational advantage.
We inflicted severe damage upon Iran’s ballistic missile program. Over 70% of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers have been destroyed, along with hundreds of launch cells and weapon storage facilities. The damage we inflicted on the ballistic missile program significantly reduced the scope of fire that the Iranians had originally planned. Instead of launching hundreds of missiles per day as the regime had intended, they were limited to launching less than 20 missiles per day.
The subsequent phase of the operation aimed to further undermine the regime’s foundational structures and military capabilities. Our targeted actions included the assault on the regime’s headquarters and command centers, encompassing the ballistic missile program, aerial defense systems, and naval forces. Furthermore, we inflicted unprecedented damage upon the regime’s control and repression mechanisms, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Basij units, the Ministry of Intelligence and Internal Security Forces, and other relevant entities. Notably, senior commanders responsible for years of oppression against the Iranian people have been eliminated. Consequently, the regime has experienced a significant decline in strength.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the United States Army undertook an unprecedented endeavor to comprehensively map Iran’s defense industries, which are responsible for the development and production of a diverse array of weapons. This encompasses hundreds of factories, over 3,000 production lines, and supporting infrastructure throughout Iran. All of these elements were meticulously analyzed, designated as targets, and subsequently destroyed during the operation.
Our strategic objective was to systematically eliminate entire production lines, thereby severely diminishing Iran’s manufacturing capabilities. We targeted the vast majority of critical components essential for the production of ballistic missiles, commencing with raw materials and explosives, and extending to materials required for the manufacture of engines and warheads. Consequently, the Iranian regime’s capacity to produce missiles has been severely compromised. Additionally, we destroyed the majority of unarmed aerial vehicle (UAV) assembly lines and its ability to produce additional weapons. Furthermore, we dismantled several national flagship programs in Iran, including its space program and its artificial intelligence program. These programs will necessitate a substantial amount of time and resources for the regime to reconstruct.
Throughout the operation, we actively pursued and eliminated the remaining senior Iranian officials, resulting in the elimination of 30 individuals. The regime’s leaders continue to reside in a state of constant pursuit. Consequently, the political and military leadership positions have been filled by individuals lacking the requisite decision-making experience within Iran.
Most importantly, we inflicted substantial damage upon Iran’s nuclear program. We obliterated research and development infrastructure, eight pivotal research centers, and production capabilities in enrichment and conversion. Additionally, we destroyed national nuclear facilities, including the Arak heavy water facility, and a facility of construction materials essential for enrichment in Yazd.
The collaboration between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the United States military during this operation was extensive and unprecedented. This cooperation manifested in joint operational planning, the joint operational timeline, and joint operational assessments. Notably, the IDF’s Chief of General Staff conducted a covert visit to Washington prior to the operation, facilitating daily coordination with the United States Central Command (US CENTCOM), and comprising joint strike teams with Israeli and American personnel.
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