US-Israeli Military Operations in Iran: Objectives, Engagements, and International Reactions

US and Israeli military operations, termed "Operation Epic Fury," against Iran commenced on February 28, with stated objectives evolving over the course of the conflict. The campaign has involved extensive air strikes, impacted global oil supplies, and led to varying statements from US officials regarding its duration and goals. Preparations for potential ground troop deployment have been reported amidst domestic political and economic concerns in the United States.

Initiation and Justification of Operations

Military operations initiated on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes against Iran. President Trump's administration offered multiple justifications for the actions, which sometimes varied or appeared inconsistent:

• Imminent Threats and Self-Defense: President Trump cited the objective to "defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," referencing historical attacks, ballistic missiles, funding of "terrorist militias," and the possibility of an Iranian nuclear weapon. US UN Ambassador Mike Waltz cited Article 51 of the UN Charter, asserting the right to self-defense.

• Preemptive Action: Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the US launched a pre-emptive strike due to knowledge of an impending Israeli action and potential Iranian retaliation against US forces. President Trump, however, countered Rubio's statement, suggesting he "might have forced Israel's hand."

• Nuclear Program: Concerns over Iran's nuclear program and missile capabilities were cited by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who mentioned intelligence indicating Iran's intent to expand its weapons arsenal and accelerate nuclear weapon development. White House special envoy Steve Witkoff stated Iranian negotiators claimed to possess enough uranium for 11 nuclear bombs during discussions. President Trump had previously claimed that earlier US strikes in mid-2025, dubbed "Operation Midnight Hammer," had destroyed Iran's nuclear capabilities.

• Ballistic Missiles: Iran's developing ballistic missile program was a consistent rationale, presented as an "intolerable" threat to US forces and allies. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth alleged Iran was building missiles and drones to create a "conventional shield" for its nuclear ambitions.

• Frustration with Negotiations: President Trump expressed dissatisfaction with nuclear negotiations with Tehran, stating, "We thought we had a deal, but then they backed out." Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, a mediator, stated that negotiations were progressing shortly before the strikes and accused the US of undermining the process.

• Support for Protesters: President Trump initially warned in January that the US would intervene if Iran continued to kill anti-regime demonstrators. He reiterated these calls after the February 28 strikes, encouraging Iranians to "rise up and overthrow the regime" and "take back your country." These statements decreased as the conflict progressed.

Stated Objectives and Their Evolution

The objectives for "Operation Epic Fury" have evolved throughout the conflict.

Core Military Objectives:

• Destroying Iran's ballistic missile stockpiles and production capabilities. US officials reported a 90% reduction in missile launch rates and significant degradation of long-term manufacturing capacity.
• Eliminating Iran's navy and security infrastructure. President Trump stated 10 to 58 Iranian ships had been "knocked out" or the navy "destroyed."
• Preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. US officials stated that Iranian nuclear sites were further targeted, impacting bomb-building capabilities, but nuclear material reportedly remained.
• Stopping Iran from arming, funding, and directing proxy militant groups. Conflicts involving groups like Hezbollah, Houthis, and Iraqi militias continued.

Regime Change:

• Initially, President Trump encouraged Iranians to "rise up and overthrow the regime" and demanded "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER" from Iran, proposing involvement in selecting a "GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s)." He referenced the "Venezuela model" as an example of regime change.
• Defense Secretary Hegseth initially stated, "This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not list regime change as one of Trump's stated objectives.
• Iran's clerical rule remained, with Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, succeeding him. President Trump expressed disappointment in this selection.
• After the deaths of dozens of Iran's top officials, including Ali Khamenei, Trump stated:

  "Regime change was not our goal. We never said regime change."
  He added that "regime change has occurred" due to the deaths of original leaders, claiming the new group is "much less radical and much more reasonable."

Timeline and Duration of Operations

Statements from US officials regarding the conflict's duration were inconsistent.

• March 1: President Trump initially stated the war would be a "four-week process."
• March 2: Trump revised the projection to "four to five weeks," adding that capabilities existed to "go far longer."
• March 8: Defense Secretary Hegseth stated, "this is only just the beginning."
• March 9: Trump claimed the military operation was "way ahead of schedule," stating Iran had "nothing left." He also referred to the operation as a "short-term excursion" to "get rid of some evil." When asked if the war would end that week, Trump responded:

  "No, but soon. Very soon."

• Fifth Week: The conflict entered its fifth week, exceeding initial projections. President Trump indicated the US would intensify operations, stating they would hit Iran "extremely hard" over the next two to three weeks, aiming to "bring them back to the stone ages." He later stated the mission would conclude "very shortly," without providing a definitive timeline.

Military Operations and Engagements

US-Israeli military operations involved extensive air power and cyber capabilities.

• Initial Phase: Gen Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reported that the operation's initial phases involved US cyber and space command blinding Iranian networks, followed by over 100 aircraft, including B-2 stealth bombers and two carrier strike groups, launching simultaneously.

• Strikes: The US military reported striking over 1250 Iranian targets (March 3), 3,000 targets (Source 4), 6,000 targets (March 12), and over 9,000 military targets by the fourth week, including IRGC headquarter buildings, intelligence sites, ballistic missile sites, missile defense systems, military manufacturing facilities, and Iranian navy vessels.

• Naval Engagements: The US military destroyed 16 "mine-laying" Iranian boats near the Strait of Hormuz. US forces reported destroying all 11 Iranian ships present in the Gulf of Oman (March 3).

• Kharg Island: US forces conducted "large-scale" strikes on Kharg Island, Iran's central point for Gulf oil operations, destroying naval mine storage facilities and missile bunkers. President Trump stated the island was "totally obliterated" militarily, but oil infrastructure was intentionally spared.

• Air Superiority: Gen Caine confirmed the US established local air superiority over Iran by suppressing Iranian air defenses.

Casualties and Civilian Impact

The conflict resulted in both US service member and Iranian civilian casualties.

• US Casualties: Six US Army reservists died in an Iranian drone attack in Kuwait on March 1. A total of 13 US service members were killed and 232 injured since the conflict began. Three US fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses in a "friendly fire incident," with all six crew members ejecting safely.

• Iranian Casualties: An elementary school in southern Iran was reportedly hit by a missile on February 28, killing over 160 people, mostly children. Reuters, The New York Times, and CNN, citing a US military investigation, indicated the US was responsible, potentially due to outdated targeting data. President Trump initially denied US responsibility, suggesting Iran may have bombed its own school, but later acknowledged the investigation and stated he would accept its findings. Iranian human rights groups reported over 1,600 Iranian deaths by March 1. Iran's Red Crescent reported 555 fatalities by March 6. The US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran group reported 1,245 civilian fatalities, including 194 children, attributed to the US-Israeli conflict. Defense Secretary Hegseth attributed civilian casualties to Iran, stating Iranian forces were firing missiles from schools and hospitals.

Strait of Hormuz and Economic Impact

The conflict significantly affected global oil supplies and prices.

• Strait Closure: Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global route for approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply, stalled or decreased significantly. Iran reportedly laid mines in the strait and continued to impede shipping.

• Oil Prices: Global oil prices surged past $100 a barrel, with Brent crude reaching $120. US gas prices increased by almost 50 cents per gallon, surpassing $4 per gallon for the first time in over three years.

• Energy Infrastructure Attacks: Iranian Shahed drones struck Kuwait's largest oil refinery and triggered fires at Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, halting energy production. These were reportedly in response to Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars field.

• US Response: President Trump pledged to address the Strait's issues, with Hegseth confirming this would be achieved through "American firepower." The US temporarily eased sanctions against Russia to allow the sale of Russian oil already at sea, aiming to address high global oil prices. The US considered escorting oil tankers through the strait.

Iranian Leadership and Regime

• Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei: Reported dead during initial strikes.
• New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei: Son of Ali Khamenei, succeeded him. Described by experts as a more hardline figure. President Trump expressed disappointment in his selection and later questioned if he was "even alive."
• Other Leaders: Dozens of Iran's top officials and key military/civilian compounds were reportedly destroyed or killed. Ali Larijani, head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was reportedly killed.

International Reactions and Alliances

The conflict drew varied international responses and impacted US alliances.

• Israel: Described as a "capable partner" by US officials, with close coordination. However, some divergences emerged, such as Israel's strike on Iran's South Pars offshore natural gas field without US prior knowledge.

• European Union: Called for "maximum restraint" and adherence to international law. Britain initially delayed the use of its bases for strikes on Iran but later permitted use for "defensive" purposes, affirming non-participation in "regime change." French President Emmanuel Macron urged Israel not to expand the war into Lebanon.

• Other Allies: Australia and Canada supported US actions aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia and the UAE deployed air defenses against Iranian attacks.

• Russia: Multiple sources reported Russia provided intelligence to Iran regarding US positions.

• NATO: President Trump criticized NATO allies for their perceived lack of support in securing the Strait of Hormuz, referring to them as "cowards" and warning of a "very bad" future for NATO if it failed to support the US.

Potential Ground Operations and Future Strategy

The Pentagon made detailed preparations for potential US ground force deployment to Iran.

• Preparations: Plans included scenarios such as limited raids by Special Operations and conventional forces, the potential detention of Iranian soldiers, and the possible seizure of Kharg Island. Discussions also covered securing Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpile.

• Deployments: Approximately 2,000 US Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, 2,500 Marines from the 11th MEU and USS Boxer amphibious ready group, and elements of the 82nd Airborne Division (fewer than 1,500 troops) were deployed or prepared for deployment to the Middle East.

• Trump's Stance: President Trump offered varying statements on ground troops, sometimes stating he would "do whatever it takes" and not ruling out deployment, while at other times stating, "I'm not planning to send ground troops anywhere at this time." He also stated he would not publicly share such decisions.

• Congressional Funding: Defense Secretary Hegseth confirmed a request for an additional $200 billion from the White House to fund the war, requiring congressional approval.

Public Opinion and Domestic Politics (US)

Public polling indicated widespread opposition and concerns in the US regarding the military action.

• Opposition: A CNN poll showed 59% of respondents opposed military action in Iran, and a Washington Post poll found 52% opposed compared to 39% in favor. A CBS News poll indicated 60% disapproval of US military action in Iran, and 67% were unwilling to pay more for gas during the conflict.

• Conservative Criticism: Conservative commentators, including Tucker Carlson and Alex Jones, expressed opposition to the military conflict, questioning its alignment with an "America First" policy.

• Economic Concerns: Rising gas prices and concerns about stagflation, slower economic growth, and higher long-term inflation were noted as potential influences on upcoming elections. President Trump acknowledged rising gas prices as a "short-term increase" and linked them to Iranian "terror attacks."

• Approval Ratings: President Trump's job approval rating dropped to 39% in an average of polls, with lower approval for his economic policies.

• Tariffs: Tariffs implemented by the Trump administration were cited as contributing to increased inflation and a weakening American economy, with 65% of Americans believing his policies worsened the economy. The Supreme Court ruled many of the president's tariffs unconstitutional.