Overview
- Initial strikes hit targets in multiple Iranian cities, with explosions and smoke seen in Tehran, as officials said the campaign seeks to cripple missile infrastructure and pressure the leadership.
- The Pentagon’s effort is referred to as Operation Epic Fury, while Israeli officials described a parallel plan called Operation Roaring Lion, with reported attempts to target Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian unconfirmed.
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said a first wave of missiles and drones was launched toward Israel and warned U.S. bases and interests across the region were within reach, as Israeli alerts and interceptions were reported.
- Regional fallout included closed airspace in Iran, Iraq and Israel and shelter-in-place advisories from U.S. embassies, while loud booms were reported in the UAE and Qatar said it intercepted incoming missiles.
- Bahrain said a service center for the U.S. Fifth Fleet was struck by a missile, and state media and other sources carried casualty and leadership-death claims that independent outlets had not verified.