Trump Announces “Operation Epic Fury,” Says U.S. Has Begun Major Combat Operations in Iran
President Donald Trump announced on February 28, 2026, that the U.S. has begun ‘Operation Epic Fury,’ saying major combat operations against Iran have started to eliminate its nuclear program, missile capabilities and proxy threats alongside Israeli strikes.
- Operation name and scope: The president said the U.S. has launched major combat operations called Operation Epic Fury to target Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, and proxy networks.
- U.S.-Israel coordination: Strikes were carried out in concert with Israeli operations aimed at leadership and facilities; Iran responded with missile launches.
- Stated objectives: Destroy missile production/stockpiles, degrade naval and command infrastructure, and neutralize proxy groups threatening U.S. forces and allies.
- Local implications: Huntington Beach-area families, defense contractors and businesses may see economic, social and political ripple effects from the campaign.
Trump’s announcement and direct warnings
In an eight-minute video posted to Truth Social, Mr. Trump said U.S. forces had moved “to defend Americans by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.” He described Tehran as “a vicious group of very hard, terrible people” and vowed to stop what he called mass terror. See the president’s Truth Social video for the full remarks.
“Lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or… face certain death,” he said, urging Iranian civilians to rise up and seek freedom and safety.
Trump outlined specific goals: destroy missile production and stockpiles, annihilate elements of Iran’s navy, and neutralize proxy groups that attack U.S. forces. He framed preventing attacks on allies, deployed troops and the American homeland as the top priority. Reporting on the announcement is available from Politico and CBS News.
What Operation Epic Fury targets and how it began
U.S. officials said the operation focuses on sites posing imminent threats — including nuclear research and enrichment sites, missile production facilities, and command-and-control nodes tied to proxy attacks. Officials described the campaign as massive and ongoing, with parallel Israeli strikes aimed at leadership and critical infrastructure.
Iran launched missiles in response, including strikes toward Israel and at U.S. bases in the region, prompting heightened alerts and concerns about possible escalation. Video coverage of Iran’s missile response has been documented in broadcast footage, including a YouTube report of missile launches.
How we got here: a brief history
Officials and the president traced the operation to a string of events and what they described as failed diplomacy. In June 2025, U.S. strikes called “Operation Midnight Hammer” reportedly struck Iran’s nuclear facilities, including sites at Fordow and Isfahan, intended to slow any reconstitution of a weapons program. (See the president’s earlier statements in the Truth Social video.)
Over late 2025 into 2026, diplomacy stalled as Washington pushed for restrictions on ballistic missiles and Iran resisted. In January 2026, Tehran’s crackdown on large domestic protests further strained relations; the U.S. warned of additional measures if Iran continued nuclear and missile activity. The reporting timeline is covered by CBS News and Politico.
U.S.-Israel coordination and the tactical picture
U.S. officials emphasized that coordination with Israel was central to the campaign. Trump told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in December 2025 he would back Israeli strikes on missile systems if necessary, a dialogue that U.S. officials say paved the way for simultaneous operations this weekend. See coverage at CBS News.
U.S. forces focused on facilities posing imminent threats; Israel reported strikes aimed at degrading command infrastructure and eliminating senior figures believed to direct proxy attacks. Iran’s missile launches reached toward Israel and at least two major U.S. bases in the region, prompting heightened alerts and tactical repositioning.
Casualties, risks and U.S. messaging
As of the president’s announcement there were no confirmed U.S. casualties publicly reported. Military leaders said steps were taken to minimize U.S. losses while acknowledging the inherent risks of combat operations. Mr. Trump described any potential U.S. losses in the context of a “noble mission” to secure long-term safety for Americans and partners.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials framed Iran’s insistence on missile capabilities as a primary stumbling block to diplomacy, arguing that the persistent problem made a military response necessary. Official statements and reporting are available from Politico and CBS News.
Implications for Huntington Beach, California
Economic impact: Local military families and defense contractors in Orange County could see immediate ripple effects. Huntington Beach hosts many veterans and families with ties to the Navy and Marine Corps; sustained operations may prompt concerns over deployments, and higher fuel and insurance costs tied to Gulf tensions could affect commuting and household budgets.
Political consequences: The city’s large conservative and veteran community may view Operation Epic Fury as decisive leadership. Local officials and candidates could face pressure to support troops while seeking clear goals and troop-safety measures. See national reporting at Politico.
Social effects and practical steps: Families with service members may experience stress and uncertainty; local schools, churches and civic groups might see increased demand for support. Residents with loved ones in the military should monitor official updates from the Department of Defense and local bases. Businesses relying on travel and tourism should watch consumer confidence and fuel price indicators. (Coverage from CBS News.)
Reporting note and sources
This remains a developing story. This article draws from the president’s Truth Social video and reporting by Politico and CBS News, which provided on‑the‑record statements and verified details. Additional broadcast footage of missile responses is available in a YouTube report.
Preserved URLs and sources: Politico · CBS News · Truth Social video (YouTube) · Missile response footage (YouTube)
