'Operation Epic Fury': How US, Israel encircled Iran before joint strikes

The Middle East has entered a new spell of conflict as Israel and the US launched a joint operation against Iran on Saturday. In an operation named "Epic Fury," the first of many strikes occurred near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran.

In his first statement following the strikes, US President Donald Trump said that the US had begun “major combat operations in Iran.” He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear programme and plans to develop missiles capable of reaching the US, and appealed to the Iranian people to “take over your government — it will be yours to take.”





Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also hailed the joint Israel–US offensive, saying Iran's "murderous terrorist regime" cannot be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons.

"Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran. I thank our great friend, President Donald Trump, for his historic leadership," Netanyahu said in a video message released after Trump’s remarks.

This comes as the United States has deployed aircraft carriers, fighter jets, guided-missile destroyers and other capabilities to the Middle East in recent weeks. It includes two of the largest US warships — the Gerald R. Ford and the Abraham Lincoln.

How US encircles Iran

According to news agency Reuters, the strikes are being carried out by air and sea. An Israeli defence official told the agency that the operation had been planned for months in coordination with Washington, and that the launch date was decided weeks ago.

Another source told Israeli media outlet The Times of Israel that the “initial phase” of the joint attack is planned to last for at least four days.

Iran is located on the northern shore of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key passageway for global shipments of oil and liquefied natural gas. This makes Iran a central actor in global energy security calculations.

Iran also borders the Caspian Sea, the world's largest inland body of water, shared with Russia and several Central Asian states.

Amid its ongoing tensions with Washington, the US has encircled Iran from over 30 military bases and key naval assets.

Aircraft moved into position

• At Crete, Greece, the US deployed the RC-135V reconnaissance aircraft.
• In Azraq, Jordan, assets include the F-15 Eagle multirole fighter, the E/A-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, and the A-10 Warthog attack aircraft.
• At Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia, the US positioned the E-11A BACN battlefield communication aircraft, F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole fighters, P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, and the E-3 early warning and command aircraft.
• In Awali, Bahrain, P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft have been stationed.
• Meanwhile, at Al Dhafrah, UAE, the MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft has been deployed.

Naval assets

• In the Red Sea, the USS Delbert D. Black, a guided-missile destroyer, is deployed.
• In the Persian Gulf, the USS Tulsa and the USS Canberra, both littoral combat ships, are operating.
• In the Northern Arabian Sea, the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is stationed. It is led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and includes the destroyers USS Frank E Petersen Jr, USS Spruance, USS McFaul, and USS Pinckney. The group’s air wing comprises F/A-18E Super Hornet multirole fighters, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, E-2 Hawkeye early warning and control aircraft, MH-60S and MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters, and F-35C Lightning II fighter jets.
• In the Strait of Hormuz, the destroyer USS Mitscher is deployed along with the littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara and the destroyer USS Michael Murphy.
• The United States has also moved its most advanced Ford Carrier Strike Group, led by the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford, from its position near Greece toward waters closer to Israel. It includes the destroyers USS Bainbridge, USS Mahan, and USS Winston S Churchill.
• Its air component features F/A-18E Super Hornet multirole fighters, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, E-2 Hawkeye early warning and control aircraft, MH-60S and MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters, and C-2A Greyhound cargo aircraft.