In pictures: The military assets from the US which are powering Operation Epic Fury
On Saturday, 28 February, the US and Israel began a series of joint missile strikes on Iran, as both countries' leaders called for the Iranian people to overthrow the regime.
The major combat operation, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, came after weeks of threats by US president Donald Trump that he would order military action if Iran did not agree to a new deal over its nuclear programme.
Posting on his Truth Social account, Mr Trump said: "We will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. It's a very simple message. They will never have a nuclear weapon."
'Peace through strength'
Launched in the early hours of 28 February, US Central Command (CENTCOM) commenced Op Epic Fury at the direction of the US president.
One of the 11 unified commands within the US Department of Defence – responsible for directing military operations across the Middle East – said its forces are conducting targeted strikes aimed at dismantling the Iranian regime's security apparatus, prioritising locations that "pose an imminent threat".
The targets reportedly include command and control centres, the joint headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as Iranian naval vessels and submarines.
Remarking on the operation in a speech delivered on Monday, 2 March, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told reporters: "This is not Iraq, this is not endless.
"This operation is a clear, devastating, decisive mission. Destroy the missile threat, destroy the Navy – no nukes."
Alongside him, Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that Op Epic Fury was "highly classified", to ensure the enemy would see "speed, surprise and violence of action".
"I wish that every American could hear the voice communications like I have as these joint operation centres remain calm, focused and cool while executing under fire over and over again," he said.
Mr Caine added that alongside the four US service members killed, the US military expects to take "additional losses", but will work to minimise them.
In a post on X, CENTCOM said the USS Gerald R Ford, currently operating in the Eastern Mediterranean, is "in the fight" and supporting the operation.
Denied claims
Over the weekend, the IRGC said in a statement carried by state media that it had launched four ballistic missiles toward the USS Abraham Lincoln, the second aircraft carrier deployed to the region.
CENTCOM has denied the claim, stating "the missiles launched didn't even come close", and the carrier continues to launch aircraft as part of its "relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime".
US assets deployed during the operation include the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, F-35 Lightning II fighters, and the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.
Images courtesy of the Defence Visual Information Distribution Service.
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