US-Israel Launch Major Missile Strikes on Iran

The United States and Israel have once again launched large-scale, coordinated missile attacks across Iran, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing military campaign. According to Iranian state media, the latest strikes targeted strategic assets in central, southern, and eastern Tehran, with residents reporting powerful explosions that illuminated the night sky. These operations, codenamed “Epic Fury” by the Pentagon and “Roaring Lion” by the IDF, are reportedly focused on dismantling Iran’s remaining air defense networks and command-and-control hubs.

These latest barrages are a direct continuation of the massive “decapitation strikes” that began on February 28, which resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader and several top military commanders. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking to reporters in Washington, defended the intensity of the campaign, stating that a country like Iran must not be permitted to possess advanced missile technology. He emphasized that the operation’s primary goal is to permanently eliminate Tehran’s ability to develop ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons, which he described as an “intolerable threat” to global security.

The conflict has already taken a heavy toll, with Secretary Rubio noting that the initial attacks caused mass casualties. Reports indicate that over 500 people have been killed within Iran since the start of the campaign, as strikes hit police stations, intelligence centers, and Basij paramilitary bases. Rubio further alleged that before the conflict began, Iran was accelerating its production to nearly 100 missiles every month. He expressed hope that the current pressure and the regime’s “weakest moment” would lead the Iranian people to eventually overthrow the government.

In retaliation, Iran and its regional proxies have launched hundreds of drones and missiles targeting US bases and major hubs in the Gulf, including civilian airports in Dubai, Doha, and Bahrain. Secretary Rubio specifically condemned Iran for targeting non-military sites in neighboring Gulf countries, describing it as a desperate move by a failing regime. As airspace remains closed across the region and thousands of flights are canceled, the US and Israel have signaled that operations will continue until all military objectives are achieved, a process President Trump suggested could last several more weeks.