Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a daylight pre-emptive airstrike carried out in a joint US-Israeli operation on Saturday under Operation Epic Fury. US CENTCOM said it had begun delivering “swift and decisive action” against the Iranian regime following prior warnings. In a post on X, CENTCOM wrote, “The Iranian regime was warned. CENTCOM is now delivering swift and decisive action as directed.”The US Central Command then released video footage from the first 24 hours of “Operation Epic Fury,” stating: “The President ordered bold action, and our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are answering the call, – Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM Commander.” The video reportedly showed the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), operated by US ground forces.It also showed combined advanced and cost-effective weaponry, reflecting a sharp escalation in scale and strategy. Alongside newly deployed LUCAS one-way attack drones, the strikes involved Tomahawk cruise missiles and advanced fighter aircraft, including F/A-18 and F-35 jets.
According to CENTCOM, US and Israeli forces began striking targets at 1.15 am ET with the aim of dismantling the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritising locations deemed to pose an imminent threat.The first hours of the operation included precision munitions launched from air, land and sea. Additionally, CENTCOM’s Task Force Scorpion Strike employed low-cost one-way attack drones for the first time in combat.Following the initial wave of US and partner strikes, CENTCOM said its forces successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks.Israel participated in the operation as a key regional ally, joining the United States in targeting the Khamenei-led regime.In a separate video released earlier, the Trump-led US administration showcased ” an extensive display of the military operation, including missiles being launched in precision strikes aimed at the heart of Iran and other key locations across the country.Also read: After Khamenei, who? How Iran chooses its Supreme Leader and who could be next
