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Operation Epic Fury delivers unprecedented strikes on Iran - CENTCOM

Mar 4, 2026, 00:16 GMT+0

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, on Tuesday said Operation Epic Fury is achieving unprecedented success less than 100 hours into execution, with US and Israeli forces targeting Iran’s ballistic missiles, drones, naval vessels, and command infrastructure.

“By order of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, our military in the Middle East is undertaking an unprecedented operation to eliminate Iran’s ability to threaten Americans, as they’ve been doing for nearly half a century…More than 50,000 troops, 200 fighters, two aircraft carriers and bombers from the United States are participating in this operation, and more capability is on the way. These forces bring a massive amount of firepower, representing the largest buildup by the US in the Middle East in a generation," Admiral Cooper said in a video message.

“Now we’re less than 100 hours into this operation, and we’ve already struck nearly 2,000 targets with more than 2,000 munitions. We have severely degraded Iran’s air defenses and destroyed hundreds of Iran’s ballistic missiles, launchers and drones. Our B-2 bombers and B-1 bombers have executed uncontested surgical strikes against multiple missile facilities deep inside Iran…We are also sinking the Iranian Navy. Thus far, we’ve destroyed 17 Iranian ships, including the most operational Iranian submarine that now has a hole in its side," he added.

Cooper said the campaign represents the largest US military buildup in the Middle East in a generation.

“To be clear, Iran is indiscriminately targeting civilians as they launch these missiles and drones…We are seeing Iran’s ability to hit us and our partners is declining, while our combat power, on the other hand, is building. My overall operational assessment is that we are ahead of our game plan," Cooper added.

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House Speaker Johnson urges Iranians to seize 'moment of opportunity'

Mar 3, 2026, 23:57 GMT+0

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday called on the people of Iran to take advantage of what he described as a historic opportunity for freedom, emphasizing US support for the Iranian people while stressing that America will not engage in nation-building.

“It’s time for the people of Iran to step up and seize this moment of opportunity for them, the one that they have long awaited to have freedom there. We are encouraging that. We’re hopeful for that. I think our NATO allies and our other allies around the world are watching with great anticipation and hope. I suspect that the entire world will reach out a hand of encouragement and assistance as is needed to help them," Johnson said.

“We have no ability to get into the nation building business. We don’t do that. We’re not the world’s policeman. America has enough trouble of our own. But I think this is a great development for the people there to be able to stand on their own two feet and seize this moment of opportunity. We’re certainly hopeful and prayerful that they will and that no other innocent people are killed," he added.

"Iran, by some estimates, murdered tens of thousands of their own citizens just within the last several weeks. Those people are now deceased. There are still dangerous folks there, but there are more good people. There are more people who desire to have freedom and liberty, and there are terrorists and tyrants in the world. I’m grateful for that this is their moment to step up, and I hope they will," Johnson said.

Senator warns of possible US boots on the ground after Iran briefing

Mar 3, 2026, 22:19 GMT+0

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said on Tuesday he is increasingly concerned that the United States may deploy boots on the ground in Iran following a closed-door congressional briefing on the administration’s plans.

“I am more fearful than ever after this briefing that we may be putting boots on the ground and that troops from the United States may be necessary to accomplish objectives that the administration seems to have,” Blumenthal said.

“But I also am no more clear on what the priorities are going to be of the administration going forward, whether it is destroying the nuclear capacity of Iran or simply the missiles or regime change or stopping terrorist activities, and I think the administration owes it to the American people to have briefings, not just for members of Congress, but for the American public. Nothing here should have been classified. It should be available to the American people,” he added.

Video shows ruins of Iran's Expediency Council building after strikes

Mar 3, 2026, 19:55 GMT+0

Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council on Mirdamad Street in Tehran was destroyed after being targeted in an airstrike on Monday, footage released by Iranian media showed.

The council is a powerful state body that selects the clerical member of the Interim Leadership Council and makes the final decisions on five key issues until a new Supreme Leader is elected:

1- Determining the general policies of the Islamic Republic
2- Ordering a referendum
3- Declaring war or peace
4- Dismissing the president
5- Appointing or dismissing the chief of the Joint Staff, the commander-in-chief of the IRGC, and senior military and law enforcement commanders

Trump says US to provide insurance for Persian Gulf maritime trade

Mar 3, 2026, 19:41 GMT+0

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he had ordered the United States Development Finance Corporation to provide political risk insurance and guarantees for maritime trade traveling through the Persian Gulf.

"This will be available to all Shipping Lines," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

He added that if necessary the United States Navy would begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible.

"No matter what, the United States will ensure the FREE FLOW of ENERGY to the WORLD. The United States’ ECONOMIC and MILITARY MIGHT is the GREATEST ON EARTH — More actions to come," he said.

Decision on Khamenei successor may be delayed until next week - IRGC outlet

Mar 3, 2026, 18:53 GMT+0

The final, in-person session of Iran’s Assembly of Experts to choose a new leader may be postponed until after next week’s funeral and burial for the slain leader, the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency reported, citing heightened security measures.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has now shifted its meetings to a remote format and adopted an alternative voting method due to security considerations and concerns over the safety of its members, the report added citing informed sources.

According to the source, regular deliberations are continuing in a secure environment, and the final stages of the process are underway.

Khamenei did not designate a successor, leaving the decision to the Assembly of Experts, the IRGC outlet said citing the unnamed source.