US targets numerous Iranian military assets in first 24 hours of ‘Operation Epic Fury’: CENTCOM

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - US forces struck Iranian command centers, ballistic missile sites, naval vessels and air defense systems in the opening 24 hours of "Operation Epic Fury," the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said Sunday.

CENTCOM said the operation was launched at 1.15 am Saturday at the direction of President Donald Trump, with forces targeting the "Iranian regime's security apparatus, prioritizing locations that pose an imminent threat.”

Among the assets deployed were B-2 stealth bombers, F-22, F-35 and F-16 fighter jets, A-10 attack jets, EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft, MQ-9 Reaper drones, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers and Patriot and THAAD missile defense systems, the command said.

The targets included the joint and aerospace force headquarters of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), integrated air defense systems, Iranian vessels and submarines, anti-ship missile positions and military communications infrastructure, it added.

US and Israeli forces have struck around 2,000 targets in Iran since the beginning of the joint attacks. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing two people briefed on the operation.

The US and Israel spent thousands of hours building a joint target list in the months prior, an Israeli official told the newspaper.

The attacks have killed several top Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Gulf countries. Three US service members have been killed and five seriously wounded.