• U.S. and Israeli forces launch nearly 900 strikes in the first 12 hours of Operation Epic Fury, targeting Iran's nuclear program, missile sites, and leadership.
  • The campaign has reportedly killed 40 senior commanders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and caused internet outages over 46%, sparking internal unrest.
  • U.S. munitions stockpiles, including THAAD and bunker busters, are strained, raising concerns about the sustainability of prolonged conflict.

Escalation into Open War

U.S. B-1 bombers struck Iranian missile capabilities overnight as part of Operation Epic Fury, a joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign launched on February 28, 2026, that has rapidly escalated the long-simmering Iran-U.S. crisis into open war. Directed by President Donald Trump, the operation aims to destroy Iran's nuclear and missile programs, degrade proxies like Hezbollah, and annihilate its navy, according to people familiar with the matter. In the first 12 hours, nearly 900 strikes were conducted, including Tomahawk missiles from U.S. Navy assets such as the destroyer USS Spruance and coordinated Israeli actions under Operation Lion's Roar.

Targeting Command and Control

Latest developments confirm strikes on IRGC command centers, missile stockpiles—estimated at 3,000 ballistic missiles pre-campaign—and air defenses in Tehran and other sites. Reports indicate 40 senior commanders have been killed, including Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, though these details could not be independently verified. Internet in Iran dropped over 46%, fueling internal unrest; exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi has urged regime collapse in public statements. Efforts to reach Iranian officials for comment were unsuccessful.

Munitions Strain and Operational Limits

U.S. forces are employing munitions like GBU-31 smart bombs and bunker busters from B-2s, alongside B-1s, but stockpiles are under pressure. THAAD systems, already 25% depleted in 2025 operations, are in use, and experts note that neither the U.S. nor Israel has the stockpiles for a months-long conflict. CENTCOM released footage on March 1 of naval launches from the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, highlighting the scale of the campaign. However, without a deal or quick resolution, the U.S. could face munitions shortages within weeks, limiting extended war capabilities and reducing readiness for other global hotspots like Taiwan or Ukraine.

Broader Implications and Future Outlook

The societal impact is profound, with the Iranian regime facing potential collapse and proxy degradation, while the U.S. and Israel risk asymmetric retaliation via IRGC Quds Force or Hezbollah plots in the U.S. homeland—past precedents include D.C. plots and Trump threats. Public reactions vary, with global debates on escalation intensifying. In the short term, continued strikes on security institutions are expected, but the broader strain on the U.S. industrial base for munitions like JASSMs could weaken long-term deterrence. As one analyst put it, "This is a high-stakes gamble with limited runway."