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Operation Epic Fury Timeline
Home > Events > OEF > Timeline
Operation Epic Fury began on Saturday, February 28, 2026 with a U.S.-Israel joint multi-domain offensive against Iran to destroy its missile, drone, and nuclear infrastructure. The mission saw rapid success in establishing air superiority, aimed to permanently cripple Iran's defense industry and naval capability.
March 19, 2026
In a major escalation of the war Israel attacked 'upstream energy assets' in Iran. The attack on the South Pars gas field could spark internal unrest.
President Trump will be asking Congress for $200 billion more to prosecute the Iran War. Weapons stocks have been depleted in the war and need to be replenished. It appears that the Pentagon is requesting thousands more troops to be sent to the Middle East. Currently there are about 50,000 in the region now.
European leaders are putting distance between themselves and President Trump over the Iran War. Trump has asked for help from NATO to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the request was dismissed by many European nations.
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March 18, 2026
Tehran is targeting many of the regional nations with missiles and drones; some more than others. These include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and UAE. However, Syria, Armenia, and Lebanon have escaped attacks thus far and likely would like to keep it that way. Israel killed Iranian's intelligence minister Esmail Khatib in an overnight strike. The Strait of Hormuz remains impassable for most commercial vessels; some have been allowed through by Iran - notably, those tied to China, India, and Turkey. Iran struck Saudi Arabian oil fields. Iran's South Pars natural gas field was attacked. The price of a barrel of oil surged to $108 on international markets, more than 40% since the start of the war. Gas and other consumer good prices are also rising.
Aircraft Carrier Out of Action. The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), one of two aircraft carriers (NSI) conducting attacks against Iran, is leaving the fight to undergo repairs at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Crete. A fire took place on March 12 that has damaged the sleeping quarters of many of its crew. The fire started in a laundry room.
Request to NATO for Help with the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump in just a few days has requested assistance from NATO countries and other nations around the world in securing the Strait of Hormuz. Thus far, very few countries have stepped up; most saying that they don't want to get involved. Among the negative responses were Japan, Australia, South Korea, Italy, France, and Germany. Trump soon reversed course saying he didn't need any help. Currently, the European Union (EU) is fielding Operation Aspides, the existing Red Sea maritime security mission. Thus far, Iran has carried out at least 21 attacks on commercial vessels in the region. The UKMTO Operations Centre has been tracking attacks on commercial vessels in the region and issuing advisories.
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March 17, 2026
Map: CENTCOM strikes employing multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions against hardened missile sites along Iran's coastline near the Strait of Hormuz on 17 March 2026. (CENTCOM, X, 17 Mar 26)
The war continues with U.S.-Israeli air strikes against Iran and drones an d missile launches against Israel and Gulf states by Iran. An evacuation of civilians from southern Lebanon is underway with threats of Israeli forces moving north.
Ali Larijani, security chief and secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council was killed in an Israeli air strike; he was the country's de facto ruler during the war. Another leader, Gholamreza Soleimani, was killed; he led Iran's powerful plainclothes militia and was the commander of Iran's Basij paramilitary force. A tanker anchored near the Strait of Hormuz was hit by a projectile. Iranian proxies in Iraq are targeting US forces and US facilities.
NCTC Director Joe Kent resigned (X, 20260317) from his position in opposition to the War on Iran; saying there was imminent threat to the U.S. His resignation puts a spotlight on divisions in the GOP and President Trump's MAGA coalition.
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March 16, 2026
The number of U.S. troops wounded in Iran War surpasses 200. As of today, U.S. aviators have flown over 6,000 combat flights. Targets were Iran's missiles, drones, and naval threats. At this point over 100 Iranian naval vessels have been destroyed. The wider manufacturing complex is now being attacked. Israeli forces expanded operations to Southern Lebanon in response to attacks by Hezbollah.
DoD Fact Sheet
"The First 17 Days".
The CENTCOM commander, Admiral Brad Cooper provided a
video brief (DVIDS, 5 mins) on the progress of Operation
Epic Fury.
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March 15, 2026
U.S. officials reported that by March 15, Iranian missile attacks had declined by 90% and drone attacks by 95% compared to the start of the operation. U.S.-Israel air strikes continued the high optempo attacks on Iran's defense industrial base and the elimination of military research centers. Iran continued its missile and drone attacks against Gulf states. Hezbollah targeted Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) positions in northern Israel with missile and drone attacks.
Epic Fury Update (SOF News).
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March 14, 2026
The DoD announced the death and identities of six Airmen who died in a crash of a KC-135 in western Iraq. The UAE air defenses continue to shoot down Iranian missiles and drones attacking targets in the UAE. Two Iranian drones struck the Ahmed Al-Jaber Air Base in Kuwait causing material damage and injuring three member of the Kuwaiti armed forces.
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March 13, 2026
Over 50,000 U.S. military personnel are engaged in the operation. Over 15,000 Iranian targets struck as of this date. SecDef Hegseth states (DoD) Iran's defense industrial base is nearing complete destruction. The country's missile production lines have been destroyed. Hegseth said that Iran's missile launch volume is down 90% and one-way attacks are down 95% since Day 1 of the operation. The Iranian navy is assessed as combat ineffective. SecDef Hegseth and General Caine updated reporters on the Iran operation. (watch video Six Aircrew of a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker were killed when their plane crashed in western Iraq.
Read more in
Epic Fury Update (SOF News)
DoD Fact Sheet
"The First 13 Days".
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March 12, 2026
A U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker was lost over western Iraq as a result of a mid-air collision with another KC-135 during air refueling operations. The White House reaffirmed its core objectives for the operation, focusing on destroying Iran's missile capabilities, navy, and nuclear ambitions. SedDef Hegseth and General Caine held a news conference to provide an update on the operational tempo and progress against Iranian targets. Five U.S. Air Force refueling planes were damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia during an Iranian strike.
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March 11, 2026
The DoD confirmed the death of an Army Reserve Soldier who was supporting Operation Epic Fury. He was killed in action during an unmanned aircraft system attack on March 1, 2026. Iranian forcers used explosive "suicide skiffs" to hit two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, escalating the fight in the Strait of Hormuz area. UAE was hit by Iranian missile and drone attacks, most were intercepted by UAE air defenses. March 11 was a single-day low for missile and drone launches since the fighting began. The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding the immediate cessation of all Iranian attacks against Gulf States, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
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March 10, 2026
Operation Epic Fury intensified as US forces continued its attacks. President Trump issued warnings to Iran about interfering with the flow of oil in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian missile launches are less frequent. Iran began targeting Saudi Arabia more intensely with drone attacks. CENTCOM destroyed naval mine storage and missile bunkers on Kharq Island in the Persian Gulf; but left the oil infrastructure undamaged . . . for now.
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Day 10, March 9, 2026
The joint operation has struck over 5,000 targets in the first 10 days. An Iranian drone cargo ship was struck and sank. The U.S. continues to hunt and strike mine-laying vessels and mine storage facilities. On March 10 UN Ambassador Mike Walz submitted an Article 51 letter (Lawfare Media, 17 Mar 2026) to the UN Security Council laying out the US international legal justification for Operation Epic Fury. President Trump reported a total of 51 Iranian naval vessels sunk or damaged by U.S. forces in the first ten days of the operation. In the first ten days Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles into the region. An M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) was used for live-fire missions against Iran. as the fight continues .
DoD Fact Sheet
"The First 10 Days".
The DoD posted a
graphic depicting the "First 10 Days" of Operation Epic
Fury.
SecDef Hegseth and General Caine provided a briefing on the
Iran operation. (watch
video or
read transcript)
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Day 9, March 8, 2026
The U.S. issues safety warnings to civilians in Iran. Iran and its proxies continued to threaten and attack the regional energy infrastructure.
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Day 8, March 7, 2026
The U.S. continued its pattern of daily air strikes and missile launches. DoD announced A soldier of the 1st Space Brigade, Fort Carson, wounded during an enemy attack at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia died on March 8, 2026.
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Day 7, March 6, 2026
The U.S.-Israeli air strikes continued with an intense tempo of operations. The Charles-de-Gaulle Carrier Strike Group entered the Mediterranean Sea on March 6, heading to the Eastern Mediterranean and perhaps on to the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces continued to systematically target Iran's navy and missile production capabilities. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz begins to significantly disrupt global oil supplies.
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Day 6, March 5, 2026
The U.S. and Israel have sunk at least 30 ships by Day 6 of the operation. In addition, air strikes are working to destroy Iran's missile industrial base. SecDef Hegseth and Admiral Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, held a press briefing on the Iran War. They stated that their is no shortage of munitions and that more keep flowing into theater. The U.S. noted that it had transitioned from using standoff weapons to employing gravity bombs in their strikes. A U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka. The U.S. House of Representatives voted against a measure designed to restrict the executive branch's assault on Iran. In a friendly fire incident a Kuwaiti pilot in an F-18 shot down three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles, all six aircrew were recovered safely.
Epic Fury Update (SOF News).
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Day 5, March 4, 2026
A press conference was held by top Pentagon officials reiterating the mission goals - emphasizing the focus on destroying Iranian missile production and its navy. The U.S. forces continued the air-naval offensive in the region. Qatari authorities arrested 10 IRGC-linked operatives - cells targeting Al Udeid Air Base. The first operational use of the PrSM missiles and LUCAS drones took place.
Epic Fury Update (SOF News).
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Day 4, March 3, 2026
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted a strike on the regime's leadership compound. An Iranian drone attack struck the U.S. Consulate in Dubai. France decides to deploy Rafale jets to protect UAE-based assets. The Iranian Mehrabad Airport in Tehran was destroyed. Iran's naval capability is reduced with all previously active Jamaran-class warships sunk. The White House further defined the campaign objectives: a major combat campaign focused on the complete destruction of Iran's missile production, navy, and IRGC-linked sites.
DoD Fact Sheet
"The First 72 Hours".
DoD graphic
"The First 100 Hours".
The DoD
identified casualties who died during an attack on March 1.
Epic Fury Update (SOF News).
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Day 3, March 2, 2026
SecDef Hegseth and General Caine held a press conference to detail the first attacks, stating that over 1,000 strikes took place over the first 25 hours of the operation. The Qatari forces shot down tow Iranian Su-24 jets that were approaching Qatari airspace over the Persian Gulf. The U.S. stated that the operation's goals are focused on destroying Iran's offensive missile capabilities, naval power, and preventing the build of nuclear weapons. U.S. Cyber Command and Space Command engaged in non-kinetic actions to disrupt Iran's internal communications systems.
DoD Fact Sheet
"The First 48 Hours".
SecDef Hegseth and Gen.
Caine held a
press briefing.
Epic Fury Update (SOF News).
*****
Day 2, March 1, 2026
By Sunday, over 1,000 targets were hit in 24 hours. U.S. B-2 bombers participated in the attack with a 37-hour round trip. DoD Fact Sheet "The First 24 Hours". Six Army Reserve Soldiers from the 103rd Sustainment Command were killed in an unmanned aircraft system attack on March 1 in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. A Kuwaiti pilot flying an F-18 shot down three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles in a case of friendly fire on March 1. All six U.S. crewmen survived and were recovered by friendly forces.
President Trump issued a call to action for Iranians to seize the moment for freedom, effectively calling for regime change. Iranian retaliation began with missile and drone attacks against U.S. regional bases and Israel. An Iranian drone carrier was struck along with other Iranian naval assets.
Epic Fury Update (SOF News).
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Day 1, February 28, 2026
(Feb 27 0200 EST) The official launch of the operation (CENTCOM) begins with coordinated air and missile strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces targeting missile sites and military infrastructure. An Israeli strike was reported on Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's compound. Iran retaliates with strikes against the Jebel Ali port (UAE), Camp Arifjan (Kuwait), and Al Udeid Air Base (Qatar). The initial attack wave begins with over 100 aircraft and Tomahawk missiles. Epic Fury Update One and Two (SOF News).
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