The operation codenamed "Epic Fury" is being described as one of the most extensive and destructive military interventions of recent decades, with the first 100 hours reportedly significantly changing the geopolitical balance in the Middle East.
The first 24 hours
Hostilities began in the early hours of Saturday, February 28, when the United States launched a massive wave of missile strikes on targets in Iran. The primary objective of the first phase was to neutralize Iranian air defense systems and communications centers.
Tomahawk missiles, launched from surface ships and submarines, struck strategic points from Tabriz in the north to the Makran coast in the south. Tehran responded with counterattacks, targeting US bases in Iraq, Jordan and the Gulf states.
Day Two: Air superiority
On Sunday, March 1, operations focused on airspace dominance. US forces established air superiority along the Iranian coast, allowing allied aircraft to operate deep into the country.
A significant development occurred in the evening, when the Israeli Air Force reported that it had achieved complete air superiority over Tehran. This moment was considered key, as it significantly weakened the protective umbrella of the capital and surrounding military installations.
72 hours later: Nuclear targets
On Monday, March 2, the operation involved US strategic bombers, including B-2, B-1 and B-52, which launched successive attacks on facilities related to the Iranian nuclear program in Qom, Arak and Isfahan.
According to military sources, the use of stealth aircraft made it possible to strike fortified targets that were previously considered difficult to penetrate. At the same time, Iranian air defense systems were progressively neutralized.
Closing 100 Hours: Naval Blockade
On Tuesday, March 3, the focus shifted to the maritime front. The US fleet imposed a complete blockade of the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman, aiming to eliminate the Iranian naval presence.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key point for global energy trade, came under the operational control of the Western coalition, significantly limiting Iran's ability to exert pressure through control of the sea lanes.
The first phase of the operation ended on Wednesday, March 4, with reports of the sinking of the last major Iranian warship by a US nuclear-powered submarine.
Meanwhile, the situation remains tense and the international community is following developments with concern, while the political and economic consequences of this operation are expected to be profound and long-term for the region.
