Operation Epic Fury: The U.S.-Israel Campaign Against Iran

A comprehensive timeline of military operations, congressional debates, and geopolitical fallout from February to July 2025

"We are in a ceasefire right now, which our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses, or stops, in a ceasefire."
— Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Senate testimony

"There's no pause button in the Constitution, or the War Powers Act. We're at war. We've been at war for 60 days. The blockade alone is a continuing act of war."
— Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

Military Operations and Ceasefire

Initial Strikes and Retaliation

The U.S. and Israel initiated a major military campaign against Iran on February 28, 2025. The operations began with strikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure. According to U.S. and Israeli officials, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is presumed dead following the initial mission.

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S.-aligned countries across the Persian Gulf. At least two major U.S. military bases in the region were targeted. Israel reported multiple Iranian missile launches targeting its territory.

Ceasefire and Blockade

President Trump announced a ceasefire on April 7, 2025, contingent on Iran's agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The ceasefire has been extended but is described as fragile by multiple sources.

Despite the ceasefire, the U.S. Navy maintains a naval blockade to prevent Iranian oil tankers from departing the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retains control over the strait itself. Last month, a U.S. Navy destroyer fired on an Iranian-flagged cargo ship attempting to breach the blockade. A senior administration official stated that "the hostilities that began on Saturday, Feb. 28 have terminated" and that no exchanges of fire have occurred since the ceasefire began.

Congressional Debate and War Powers Resolutions

Legal Framework

The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires presidents to obtain congressional approval for military actions lasting beyond 60 days, with a possible 30-day extension for safe troop withdrawal. The 60-day deadline from the start of hostilities passed on May 1, 2026.

The administration argues that the 60-day clock does not apply because the ceasefire effectively paused or terminated hostilities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated during Senate testimony that "We are in a ceasefire right now, which our understanding means the 60-day clock pauses, or stops, in a ceasefire."

In a letter to Congress on May 1, 2026, President Trump stated that "the hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated." He also called the War Powers Resolution "totally unconstitutional."

Multiple Senate Votes

The Senate has held numerous votes on war powers resolutions throughout the conflict:

• Initial votes: The Senate rejected several early resolutions, including a 53-47 vote on an early measure.

• Duckworth resolution (April): The Senate voted 47-52 against a resolution directing the president to remove forces from hostilities unless authorized by Congress. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only Republican supporter; Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) was the only Democrat to oppose.

• Merkley resolution (May): The Senate rejected a motion to discharge a war powers resolution from committee, 49-50. Three Republicans (Collins, Murkowski, Paul) joined most Democrats.

• Kaine resolution (June): The Senate voted 50-47 to advance a war powers resolution. Four Republicans (Collins, Murkowski, Paul, Cassidy) supported it. Senator Fetterman was the lone Democratic opponent.

• Final passage (July): The Senate voted 50-48 to pass the concurrent resolution directing the president to remove forces from hostilities. Four Republicans (Cassidy, Collins, Murkowski, Paul) joined Democrats. The next day, the Senate rejected a similar measure 47-50-1, with Senators Paul and Cassidy changing their votes after a White House meeting.

House Votes

The House of Representatives passed a war powers resolution on June 3, 2025, by a vote of 215-208, with four Republicans (Barrett, Davidson, Fitzpatrick, Massie) joining Democrats. Speaker Mike Johnson had previously delayed a vote on the measure. An earlier House vote had tied 212-212.

Ceasefire and War Powers Dispute

The administration has argued that the ceasefire renders the War Powers Resolution inapplicable. Speaker Johnson stated that the U.S. is "not at war" and that congressional authorization is unnecessary. Some Republican senators have indicated they would not support extending military action beyond 60 days without congressional approval, including Senators Collins, Curtis, Tillis, Young, and Murkowski.

Congressional Concerns and Divisions

Republican Divisions

Support for the military action has varied among Republicans:

• Support: Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senators Cotton, Graham, Cramer, and Ernst have supported the administration's actions.
• Concerns about duration: Senators Tillis, Curtis, and Hawley have raised questions about the conflict's timeline and the need for an exit strategy.
• Opposition to ground troops: Senators Collins and Murkowski have stated they would not support ground troop deployment without congressional authorization.
• Vocal opposition: Representatives Massie (R-KY) and Davidson (R-OH) have opposed the action as unconstitutional. Senator Paul (R-KY) has consistently supported war powers resolutions.

Democratic Criticism

Democratic lawmakers have expressed concerns about the conflict's justification, objectives, and lack of congressional authorization:

• Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) called the decision to attack "a colossal mistake" and has led efforts for war powers resolutions.
• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) described the conflict as "Trump's war" and a "war of choice."
• Representative Jim Himes (D-CT) called the action "a war of choice with no strategic endgame."
• Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) characterized the strikes as "acts of war unauthorized by Congress."

Intelligence Community Testimony

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified before Congress regarding Iran's capabilities. She stated that Iran's government remains "intact but largely degraded" and that the country "still has means to threaten passage through the Strait of Hormuz." Gabbard declined to determine whether Iran posed an imminent threat, stating that this determination is the president's responsibility.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe stated that "Iran has been a constant threat to the United States for an extended period of time, and posed an immediate threat at this time."

Funding and Costs

Estimated Costs

Multiple estimates of the conflict's costs have been provided:

• The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated the first 100 days of the conflict would cost American taxpayers approximately $3.7 billion.
• Initial week costs exceeded $11.3 billion.
• Later estimates placed costs at approximately $29-30 billion.
• The Pentagon requested over $200 billion in additional war funds.

Specific Cost Drivers

• Over 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles fired, at approximately $3.6 million each.
• Estimated $1 billion in lost military aircraft.
• Approximately $500 million for a rescue operation involving two U.S. airmen.

Economic Impacts

Roger Pielke Jr. of the American Enterprise Institute estimated indirect costs:

• $12.1 billion in increased gasoline and diesel costs (approximately $92 per household)
• $2.2 billion in increased airfare costs due to higher jet fuel prices
• $131 million in increased fertilizer costs for U.S. farmers

Funding Legislative Path

The White House formally requested $87.6 billion for Operation Epic Fury, including $67 billion for the Defense Department. Republicans may seek funding through supplemental appropriations or the budget reconciliation process to bypass Democratic opposition. Some Republican lawmakers, including Senators Paul (R-KY) and Representatives Massie (R-KY) and Boebert (R-CO), have opposed additional war funding.

Casualties and Humanitarian Impact

U.S. Casualties

Three weeks into the conflict, 13 U.S. military personnel had died and over 230 had been wounded. President Trump visited Dover Air Force Base for a dignified transfer ceremony for six service members killed in a refueling aircraft crash in Iraq.

Regional Casualties

• Over 1,300 Iranian fatalities
• 15 deaths in Israel
• Hundreds of civilian deaths in Lebanon, with near-constant Israeli strikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon displacing over 1 million people
• 968 civilian deaths in Lebanon reported by the Lebanese Health Ministry

Humanitarian Situation

The conflict has disrupted energy infrastructure and shipping lanes, halting oil and gas production throughout the region. Deaths have reached thousands across Iran, Israel, and neighboring countries. Israel announced the death of Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, marking the third high-level assassination in approximately 24 hours. Earlier strikes resulted in the deaths of Iranian security chief Ali Larijani and Basij paramilitary commander Gholamreza Soleimani.

International Reactions

Russia condemned the "murder and liquidation" of sovereign leadership and called for an immediate ceasefire. European leaders expressed growing alarm regarding the war's trajectory. All NATO allies refused President Trump's request to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar condemned a coordinated U.S.-Israeli attack on the South Pars natural gas field, calling it "dangerous and irresponsible."

DNI Tulsi Gabbard's Resignation

Tulsi Gabbard resigned as Director of National Intelligence on June 27, 2025, effective June 30, citing her husband's diagnosis with a rare form of bone cancer. Principal Deputy Director Aaron Lukas was appointed as acting director.

Gabbard's tenure included tensions with President Trump over Iran policy. She testified that U.S. strikes had "obliterated" Iran's enrichment program and that Iran had not restarted it, a statement Trump publicly contradicted. Her top counterterrorism official, Joe Kent, resigned in March 2025, stating Iran did not pose an imminent threat. Gabbard is the fourth Cabinet member to depart during Trump's second term, following Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

Venezuela Operation

Capture of Nicolás Maduro

On January 3, 2025, U.S. forces conducted a military operation resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Both individuals were transported to New York to face charges related to drug trafficking, arms, and conspiracy.

Congressional Response to Venezuela Action

The operation prompted further debate over executive authority:

• Administration justification: Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the mission was a law enforcement action to arrest "indicted fugitives of American justice." The administration did not notify Congress in advance, citing operational security concerns.
• Republican support: Senate Majority Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson supported the action. Some Republicans including Senators Lee and Cotton stated the operation fell within the president's Article II authority.
• Republican dissent: Representatives Massie (R-KY), Greene (R-GA), and Bacon (R-NE) raised concerns about precedent and legal basis. Senators Murkowski (R-AK) and Paul (R-KY) questioned the action's constitutionality.
• Democratic opposition: Leaders Schumer and Jeffries criticized the lack of congressional authorization. Senator Kaine indicated his resolution barring intervention in Venezuela without congressional approval could be brought to a vote.

Senate Vote on Venezuela

The Senate voted 51-50 against advancing a Venezuela war powers resolution, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. Senators Hawley and Young reversed their earlier support after discussions with administration officials. A House resolution failed 215-215.

Public Opinion

• A CBS News poll found that 40% of Americans approve of U.S. military action in Iran, while 60% disapprove. The same poll reported widespread disapproval of the president's handling of the situation.
• A Marist poll found 60% of U.S. citizens disapprove of Trump's Iran war approach.
• A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 24% of U.S. citizens felt the war against Iran had been worth the cost.