Operation Roaring Lion and Epic Fury

In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, the United States and Israel carried out coordinated military strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, following the collapse of diplomatic talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named the operation “Roaring Lion,” while US President Donald Trump called the American component “Epic Fury.”

Targets and Scale of the Attack

According to officials, the strikes differed significantly from Operation Midnight Hammer conducted in June 2025, which was limited to nuclear facilities.
The February 2026 attacks reportedly targeted:

• Senior Iranian leadership locations
• Military installations
• Missile production sites
• Remaining nuclear infrastructure

Analysts say the strikes may mark the opening phase of a prolonged campaign aimed at weakening Iran’s governing structure.

Iranian state media later reported the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, though independent confirmation remained unclear at the time of reporting.

Immediate Aftermath

Tehran condemned the attacks as an “unprovoked and illegal” assault. Iranian forces launched retaliatory strikes across parts of the Middle East, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.

The attacks came just two days after US–Iran negotiations on nuclear limits collapsed without agreement.

Reasons Cited by the US

President Trump listed several reasons for the action:

1. Preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
2. Concern over Iran’s development of long-range missile systems capable of reaching US allies in Europe.
3. Allegations of Iran’s support for militant proxies and past attacks on US interests.
4. Historical grievances, including the 1979 Tehran embassy hostage crisis and the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing.

Trump also urged Iranian citizens to “prepare to overthrow the clerical establishment,” signalling a tougher US stance toward Iran’s government.

Sources: DD, BBC