UPDATED: Operation Epic Fury: U.S. Launches “Operation Epic Fury” in Major Strike on Iran Operation Epic Fury
The United States, in coordination with Israel, has launched a large-scale military operation against Iran known as “Operation Epic Fury.” The strikes began early Friday and targeted key military and strategic sites in Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah.
U.S. officials say the operation was designed to neutralize what they describe as imminent threats tied to Iran’s military capabilities. Israel simultaneously conducted its own coordinated campaign.
President Trump said the strikes followed what he called prolonged diplomatic failures and warned that additional action could follow if necessary.
Iran has responded by launching ballistic missiles toward Israeli targets, escalating tensions across the region. Airspace disruptions and heightened military alerts are now in effect throughout parts of the Middle East.
Damage assessments and casualty figures are still being determined as the situation continues to develop.
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U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement after the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran:
“I am praying for the safety of our service members and the many civilians in the Middle East in harm’s way today. President Trump’s military campaign against Iran and call for regime change are the beginning of a reckless new war of choice with no clear strategy and no clear endpoint. This is not how a democracy goes to war. Less than five years after the end of the longest war in American history, the United States is once again staring down another open-ended conflict with a hostile country in the Middle East that could cost the lives of many American service members. This is not a limited, defensive strike, but rather a full-throated declaration of war that does not clearly serve the interests of or reflect the wishes of the American people.
“The Iranian regime is evil. It has supported and exported terrorism. It has the blood of many Americans on its hands from its attacks across the decades against American troops and interests, as well as the thousands of Iranians massacred while protesting the regime. However, President Trump and his administration have failed to make the case that it poses an imminent threat to the American people. The administration also failed to extract all they could through diplomacy with a regime that is as weak as it has ever been. This is an illegal war launched without meaningful consultation or the consent of Congress. At a time when we face significant threats from an aggressive China and Russia, choosing to launch a war with Iran brings significant risks, and Congress should rein in this dangerous president before he can do more harm to American service members and national interests.”
U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) today released a statement after the United States launched military strikes against Iran:
“Iran is a dangerous regime and must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. For decades, it has been the primary financier and supporter of terrorism around the world. The threat Iran poses to the region, our allies, and the United States is real.
“But President Trump’s reckless actions demonstrate a troubling lack of clear foreign policy strategy. He has inched us closer to war on a whim and the last thing we need is another open-ended war in the Middle East. The American people have made it abundantly clear that they are done with forever wars.
“The safety of our troops and innocent civilians across the Middle East must come first. I am praying for their protection. Escalation without a clear strategy risks putting Americans in harm’s way and sets a dangerous precedent, signaling to adversaries like China and Russia that there are no consequences to aggression.
“Additionally, these strikes were carried out without meaningful consultation with Congress or the American people. There is currently a bipartisan War Powers Resolution, and Congress should immediately return to Washington to hold a debate and vote. The Constitution is clear: decisions that risk drawing our nation into war cannot be made unilaterally. If further military action is necessary, the administration must come to Congress and seek explicit authorization. This is our constitutional duty.
“I will continue to monitor the situation and am keeping our service members in my prayers.”
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on the United States’ strikes against Iran:
- “Trump is lying to the American people as he launches an illegal, regime-change war against Iran. This is endangering American lives and has already resulted in mass civilian casualties. This is not making us safer and only damages the U.S. and our interests. The Senate must immediately vote on the War Powers Resolution to stop it.”