Our Reckoning With the Islamic Republic of Iran: Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion

Key Takeaways

• Epic Fury and Roaring Lion launched Feb 28 2026.
• Iranian leadership, including Khamenei, killed in initial strikes.
• Six U.S. service members killed, 18 wounded.
• Iranian missile and drone attacks hit Israel, Gulf allies.
• Oil shipments disrupted; OPEC considers output increase.

Summary

On Feb 28 2026 the United States and Israel began joint strikes—Operation Epic Fury (U.S.) and Roaring Lion (Israel)—against Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile sites, IRGC installations and senior leadership. The initial wave killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other top officials, while CENTCOM reported six U.S. service members killed and 18 wounded. Iranian forces responded with ballistic missiles and Shahed drones targeting Israel, U.S. bases in the Gulf and regional allies, prompting a broader proxy backlash. The conflict has already disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting OPEC to consider output adjustments.

Pulse Analysis

The February 2026 joint U.S.–Israeli offensive against Iran represents the most coordinated kinetic response to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions since the early 2000s. By targeting enrichment plants, ballistic‑missile silos, IRGC command hubs and senior regime figures, the operations aimed to cripple Iran’s capacity to develop a nuclear weapon and to deter its regional proxy network. President Trump framed the strikes as a pre‑emptive measure to protect American and Israeli security, signaling a willingness to move beyond diplomatic pressure and sanctions.

In the immediate aftermath, Iran launched a cascade of retaliatory missiles and Shahed drones toward Israeli cities, U.S. installations in the Gulf, and allied states such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Bahrain. Hezbollah’s entry into the fight and renewed Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have expanded the battlefield, raising the risk of a broader regional conflagration. U.S. forces have suffered six combat fatalities and 18 injuries, underscoring the human cost of the escalation and the challenges of defending dispersed assets against saturated missile and drone threats.

Beyond the battlefield, the conflict is reverberating through global energy markets. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—through direct strikes on naval facilities and heightened insurance premiums—have spiked crude prices, prompting OPEC and OPEC+ members to discuss output hikes to offset supply shocks. The economic pressure compounds Iran’s already strained oil revenues, potentially accelerating internal dissent and reshaping Tehran’s strategic calculus. Analysts watch closely whether the kinetic campaign will force a diplomatic reset, trigger regime change, or entrench a protracted stalemate that could redefine the balance of power across the Middle East.