Operation Roaring Lion / Operation Epic Fury

Operation Roaring Lion / Operation Epic Fury

Operation Roaring Lion [Lion's Roar] (Hebrew: מבצע שאגת הארי), also known as Operation Epic Fury (United States designation), was a joint United States–Israel military operation launched on 28 February 2026 targeting the genocidal Islamist fascist Republic of Iran.

The operation targeted Iranian nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile capabilities, military leadership, and command-and-control systems. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes against Israel, United States bases in the Middle East, and several Gulf states.

The islamist Mullahcracy "Iran's main goal: Destroy the world as we know it, impose Shia Islam globally. Iran’s leaders want to destroy the world as we know it. They want to dominate the Middle East, overthrow Western-style democracy, wipe out Israel, and impose Shia Islam on the world".

Islamic fascist Republic of Iran's proxies

Background

It comes after 47 years of a regime striking terror across the Middle East. During that time, it has built and armed lethal proxy forces in **Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza, and Yemen**, using them to expand its influence, destabilize governments, and wage indirect war. Its leaders have repeatedly called for the annihilation of Israel and promoted hostility toward the United States.

Among the most notorious anti-American attacks attributed to its network and aligned forces are:

• The **444-day U.S. Embassy hostage crisis in 1979**, when American diplomats were held captive in Tehran.
• The **1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut**, which killed 241 American service members.
• The **1996 Khobar Towers bombing** in Saudi Arabia, which killed 19 U.S. Air Force personnel.
• Numerous deadly attacks against U.S. soldiers in Iraq carried out by Iran-backed militias.

For nearly five decades, these actions have shaped regional instability and defined one of the most enduring confrontations in modern Middle Eastern history.

Most dangerous of all have been its nuclear ambitions.

In recent years, its expanding arsenal of missiles and armed drones has become an escalating threat in its own right—projecting power far beyond its borders and increasing the risk of wider regional conflict.

Recent

The strikes followed weeks of failed negotiations and rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Israeli officials described the operation as preemptive and coordinated with the United States.

The Iranian "negotiators" were using the time to stall, to rebuild.

“

Iranian officials couched their proposal in maximalist terms - not the language of a party intent on genuine breakthrough agreements but one of a regime intent on extracting breathing room. For months now, Western capitals have clung to the hope that Iran’s return to the negotiating table represents a genuine opportunity for a durable nuclear agreement. Yet, as the latest round of talks in Geneva concludes, it is increasingly clear that Tehran’s priority is not a deal but delay. The regime in Tehran has mastered the art of diplomacy as a stalling tactic, using negotiations not to reach closure but to buy time to rebuild its capabilities, entrench its strategic assets, and rebuff meaningful constraints on its ambitions. The Jerusalem Post’s own coverage of the third round of indirect US–Iran talks underscores this dynamic. Tehran’s submission of a “new nuclear proposal” was heralded in some quarters as a breakthrough. But read closely, and the contours of this packet of paper are less about concession and more about preservation. Iranian officials couched their proposal in maximalist terms, insisting on guarantees of their right to maintain a full fuel cycle and demanding sanctions relief as a precondition for any real compromises. This is not the language of a party intent on genuine breakthrough agreements but one of a regime intent on extracting breathing room. This is not an isolated pattern. History tells us – both in Tehran’s own conduct and in Western diplomatic experience – that Iran has rarely, if ever, negotiated with real intent to curb its strategic programs. As the Post reported last year, every time Iranian authorities face credible pressure, they pivot to “negotiations – not to reach an agreement but to buy time.”..

”

Historic , Biblical remembered

The launch coincided with the Jewish reading of Parashat Zachor, which references the biblical command to "blot out the memory of Amalek," a comparison invoked in some Israeli commentary.

From Israeli ambassafor at UN:

“

Mr. President. This week, Jewish families all around the world celebrate Purim. Many Israelis will do so now in a bomb shelter. The story of Purim happened more than 2,500 years ago. In the same place in ancient Persia, an evil minister by the name of Haman sought to wipe out the Jewish people. And it began with words, with chants. It became a decree. It could have become a a genocide. But Queen Esther refused to remain silent. She stepped forward. She spoke up. She acted before it was too late. That is the lesson we learned. It is not only an ancient lesson. It is a modern one. Last week I stood at the gates of Auschwitz with dozens of UN ambassadors. We stood in a place that shows what happens when radicalism and extremism grows and no one stops it in time. Before the Holocaust, some leaders, serious leaders believed that they could come aggression with concess concessions. They were completely wrong. Giving in did not stop evil. It strengthened it.

”

Objectives and Targets

United States targets

The United States focused primarily on strategic military and nuclear infrastructure, including:

• Nuclear facilities such as Fordow, Natanz, and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center.
• Ballistic missile production, storage, and launch infrastructure.
• Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval assets and bases.
• Command and control facilities associated with the IRGC and Iranian air defenses.

Israeli targets

Israel focused on leadership decapitation strikes and tactical military threats:

• The Tehran compound and offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
• Senior IRGC commanders, intelligence officials, and members of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
• Iranian integrated air defense systems.
• Missile launchers in western and central Iran.

Cyber operations

Israeli sources reported a large-scale cyberattack accompanying the airstrikes, allegedly disrupting Iranian critical infrastructure, official news sites, and security communications systems.

The Mossad launched a Farsi-language Telegram channel appealing to Iranian civilians and encouraging documentation of anti-regime activities.

Iranian retaliation

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched waves of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israel, U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as sites in Jordan, Syria, and Iraq, as well as civilian targets.

In Israel, one woman was killed and over 120 people were injured during the first day of missile attacks, according to Magen David Adom.

Missile and drone strikes were also reported in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and other Gulf states, with casualties reported in Abu Dhabi.

• Israel (Primary target of retaliation)
• Bahrain (Target: U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters, civilians)
• Qatar (Target: Al Udeid Air Base)
• United Arab Emirates (Target: Al Dhafra Air Base, with debris falling near Dubai, a luxury hotel)
• Kuwait (Target: Ali Al Salem Air Base, civilian airport)
• Jordan (Target: Muwaffaq Salti Air Base)
• Saudi Arabia (Target: Explosions reported in Riyadh, likely targeting Prince Sultan Air Base)
• Iraq (Target: U.S. base in Erbil)
• Syria state news agency (SANA) confirmed the missile strike in Sweida.

At least 40 senior Iranian officials eliminated

IDF Confirmed "40 Top Iranian Officials Wiped Out - Including Head of IRGC".

Reported death of Ali Khamenei

Khamenei Dead

Multiple media outlets reported that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in Israeli strikes on Tehran.

Reports of his death prompted celebrations among some Iranian civilians, according to media footage and eyewitness accounts.

International reactions

European leaders from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom condemned Iran’s retaliatory strikes and urged a return to negotiations.

The European Union condemned Iranian threats while calling for diplomatic efforts.

Saudi Arabia condemned Iranian missile attacks on Gulf states and pledged logistical and military support.

Canada and Australia publicly supported the U.S. and Israeli strikes, while the EU placed blame on Tehran for escalation.

Domestic response in Israel

Israeli opposition figures expressed unity with the government during the conflict.

Emergency measures included airspace closure and restrictions on public gatherings.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee deployed mental health and emergency response teams in Israel.

Casualties

In Israel, one civilian fatality and more than 120 injuries were reported during Iranian missile attacks on the first day of hostilities.

One Pakistani national was killed in UAE due to Iran strike.

Iranian state media claimed over 200 killed and more than 700 wounded in U.S.–Israeli strikes across multiple provinces.

However, a social media posted a month ago about IRGC's led school, foreseeing, the regime will claim a school was hit.

Updates / sources

• Operation Roaring Lion / Operation Epic Fury - updates

• Operation Roaring Lion / Operation Epic Fury - sources

See also

• Islamism
• Iran
• Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps