What Is Operation Epic Fury? US Unleashes Sweeping Strikes Against Iranian Military Days After Trump's Warning

(MENAFN- Live Mint) The United States on Friday, February 27, launched a massive military strike dubbed Operation Epic Fury, targeting key Iranian military targets just days after President Donald Trump gave Tehran 10 days to finalise the nuclear deal and warned that“bad things” would happen if it failed to comply with Washington's demands.

Hours after the US launched a "major combat' operation against Iranian military installations, US defense officials announced the name of the operation in a social media post that included an American flag emoji.

On Saturday, Israel and the US began striking key targets across Iran, with Trump urging the Iranian citizens to take over the government once the military campaign comes to an end, Bloomberg reported. Addressing Iranians, Trump shared a video on his Truth Social platform and said, "The hour for your freedom is at hand. When we're finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations.”

Before Trump urged the Iranians, multiple large explosions were reported in Iran's capital, Tehran. The country's state media said that it has also launched a wave of missile and drone attacks on Israel. The Israeli military said that its defensive systems were operating to intercept any attack from Tehran.

Iran refused to renounce nuclear weapons: Trump

Trump said that the military operation, which commenced on Friday (local time), comes after Iran has refused to renounce its nuclear weapons, which Tehran has consistently said that it is not pursuing. He also added that Washington will destroy the Islamic Republic's missile inventory and industry, as well as its navy.

According to an AP report, at least one of the strikes was reported near the office of Tehran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

(This is a breaking story. More developments awaited)

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