The large strikes performed by the U.S. and Israel on Saturday — dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” by American forces — have been within the works over the previous a number of “months main as much as the assault,” in keeping with Israel officers.
Within the first IDF assertion following the assault on Iran, an Israel Protection Forces spokesperson mentioned that “the strike included an assault on dozens of navy targets.”
The assertion additionally highlighted what seems to be the IDF’s shut cooperation with United States throughout months of planning. The US has not but talked about something in regards to the planning of the operation or how lengthy it has been within the works for.
“Within the months main as much as the assault, shut joint planning was carried out between the IDF and the U.S. Military, which enabled the broad assault to be carried out with most synchronization and coordination between the armies,” the IDF mentioned.
An Iranian girl walks previous an anti-U.S. billboard in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 26, 2026.
Majid Asgaripour/West Asia Information Company through Reuters
“The Iranian regime has not deserted its plan to destroy Israel,” the assertion continued. “The IDF has acknowledged that the regime has continued its makes an attempt to fortify, shield, and conceal its nuclear packages, together with restoring the missile manufacturing course of.
“The regime has continued to finance, prepare, and arm its proxies primarily based inside the borders of the State of Israel,” the IDF mentioned. “These are actions that represent an existential risk to the State of Israel, and threaten the Center East and your complete world.”
The strikes concerned a mixture of U.S. plane and Tomahawk cruise missiles fired by U.S. Navy ships within the area, in keeping with a U.S. official.
There are at present an estimated 35,000 U.S. navy personnel stationed within the Center East in the mean time.
The U.S. already has massive navy bases within the area, with Al Udeid in Qatar being the biggest with round 10,000 personnel. Shut by in Bahrain, there are about 3,200 personnel and dependents stationed on the Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters.
Folks watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.
AP
There are additionally an estimated 1,000 U.S. troops in Syria, whilst they put together to attract down and go away the nation, in addition to one other 2,500 troops in Iraq now principally situated in Erbil to the north.
The U.S. additionally has dozens extra fighter jets within the Center East than there have been in mid-January.
An plane provider — the united statesGerald R. Ford — together with as much as 4 destroyers might quickly be a part of the 12 Navy ships already within the area, that features the united statesAbraham Lincoln.
In response, Iran instantly accused the U.S. of violating “all worldwide legal guidelines and through negotiations.”
“Now’s the time to defend the homeland and confront the enemy’s navy aggression,” an announcement launched from the Iranian Ministry of International Affairs mentioned on Saturday. “Simply as we had been prepared for negotiations, we now have been extra ready than ever for protection. The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will reply to the aggressors with authority.”
ABC Information’ Luis Martinez and Jack Moore contributed to this report.
