“We Didn’t Start This War, Iran Rejected Deals”: Why US Started Operation Epic Fury
TheConscience NG reports that the United States has formally unveiled and justified Operation Epic Fury, marking what officials described as a decisive military campaign to dismantle Iran’s missile networks, naval assets and nuclear ambitions.
Speaking at a press conference in Arlington, Virginia, on Monday, the U.S. Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth declared that the conflict, which he said escalated under President Donald Trump, was aimed at ending “47 years of Iranian bullying.”
“We didn’t start this war,” he said. “But under President Trump, we are finishing it.”
The secretary accused Iran’s Quds Force and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of orchestrating car bombings in Beirut, rocket attacks on American ships, embassy killings and roadside bombings in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He described Operation Epic Fury as “laser-focused” on destroying Iran’s offensive missile production, naval capacity and ability to obtain nuclear weapons.
“Crazy regimes like Iran bent on prophetic Islamist delusions cannot have nuclear weapons,” he said, adding that Iran had created “a conventional shield for their nuclear blackmail ambitions.”
The administration insists the campaign is not designed as a regime-change war, but the secretary added pointedly: “The regime should be changed.”
He confirmed that four Americans have been killed so far, warning that further casualties are expected as operations continue.
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that Operation Epic Fury began on February 28 at 1:15 a.m. EST under direct orders from President Trump, describing it as one of the most integrated combat efforts in modern U.S. history.
U.S. Central Command, led by Admiral Brad Cooper, launched synchronized operations across air, sea, cyber and space domains in coordination with Israeli forces.
“This is not a single overnight operation,” the chairman said. “This is major combat operations.”
The military buildup included the redeployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike groups, hundreds of fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets, refueling tankers and thousands of service members across the region.
Air Force Central Command is conducting precision airstrikes, Navy forces are engaging Iranian naval assets, while Army units are leading counter-missile and counter-drone operations.
The chairman acknowledged anticipated losses but emphasized that U.S. forces remain positioned to “disrupt, degrade, deny and destroy” Iran’s combat capabilities.
“This work is just beginning,” he said.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth noted also on Monday that military operations against Iran would not lead to an “endless war” and that the aim was to destroy Tehran’s missiles, Navy and other security infrastructure.
