A large-scale military assault on Iran by the United States and Israel, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury," has killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggered a widening regional conflict that has spread to Lebanon and multiple Gulf states The initial strikes on February 28 targeted Iranian leadership and military infrastructure As of the fourth day of fighting, the death toll inside Iran has risen to at least 787, with one attack on a school in Minab reportedly killing 165 children
In response, Tehran has launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks, targeting Israel and US military assets in several allied Gulf nations US facilities, including the Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, sustained damage, prompting an evacuation order for American personnel from the base Qatari authorities also announced they had arrested two Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) cells assigned to conduct espionage and sabotage
The conflict has expanded to a new front after Iran's ally, Hezbollah, launched rocket attacks on Israel from Lebanon Israel responded with heavy airstrikes on Beirut, drawing Lebanon directly into the fighting The Lebanese government has since demanded Hezbollah disarm, declaring its actions illegal
US officials have offered varied justifications for the initial assault, with some stating the operation was launched because Israel was planning to strike Iran imminently President Donald Trump has stated that "someone from within" should take over Iran but has not outlined a formal policy of regime change The escalating war has created a severe humanitarian and logistical crisis, with the US State Department urging its citizens to depart from at least 15 countries and territories in the region
Mohsin Rana
