Update Summary of Operation Epic Fury. As the Iran War enters the third week the U.S. and Israel air attacks continue, Iranian leadership and top military leaders eliminated, thousands of targets destroyed or damaged in Iran, missile and drone attacks persist against Gulf states and beyond, regime change unlikely, and Iran holding out hoping to outlast the U.S. will to continue the war. This update compiles information from U.S. Central Command briefings, regional media reporting, and open-source defense analysis.
Key Developments in Operation Epic Fury
- Pentagon Brief of Operation Epic Fury (March 13, 2026)
- More than 50,000 military personnel are supporting Operation Epic Fury
- 5 USAF Refuelers Damaged on ground, two KC-135s in midair collision, one crashed with six deceased
- Air Operations – U.S.-Israel strikes continue with near continuous strike tempo, Kharq Island bombed, over 15,000 Iranian targets struck as of March 13
- Regional air defenses are intercepting most Iranian drones and cruise missiles
- Drone and Missile Operations – Iranian attacks continue but less frequent, regional nations under attack. Drone attacks down by 95% and missile attacks down by 90%
- Naval Operations – 60 ships and 30 minelayers damaged or destroyed, an ARG and 31st MEU heading to Middle East
- Strait of Hormuz closed, Iranian sea drone attacks hit oil tankers, risk of escalation, proxy Iraq militias attack U.S. Embassy and Camp Victory in Iraq
- Trump temporarily waived sanctions on Russian oil at sea (already loaded in tankers) for 30 days, big win for Putin!
- Analysis and Opinion – boots on the ground, SOF deploys, regime change, great powers and strategic folly, Millennium Challenge 2002