Operation Epic Fury: Inside The US-Israel Offensive That Killed Iran's Supreme Leader

Last Updated:March 01, 2026, 09:00 IST

The operation not only killed Khamenei, but also his family members, including his daughter and granddaughter.

Operation Epic Furry: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed, Iran’s state media confirmed, after the United States and Israel launched massive strikes under the operation, codenamed Epic Fury by Washington and Lion’s Roar by Jerusalem.

The daylight offensive, coordinated with Israeli forces led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, targeted the political heart of Tehran in a dramatic escalation of regional tensions.

The operation not only killed Khamenei, but also his family members, including his daughter and granddaughter.

Iran’s state television confirmation came hours after US President Donald Trump announced the killing of the 86-year-old cleric he described as “one of the most evil people in History."

The Iranian government also announced 40 days of mourning following the killing of Khamenei.

Daylight Strike At The Centre Of Power

Unlike last year’s Operation Midnight Hammer, which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities under the cover of darkness, Operation Epic Fury was carried out in broad daylight.

The joint assault began in broad daylight on Saturday morning—a tactical choice designed to catch Iranian air defences during a shift change and to ensure maximum visual impact for the Iranian public. Over 200 fighter jets and a massive naval armada, led by the USS Gerald R Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln, targeted more than 500 sites across Iran.

Coordinated ‘Decapitation Strike’

Israeli officials described the first wave of attacks as a “decapitation strike" — a military tactic aimed at eliminating top leadership in a single, concentrated blow. Key targets included:

Command and Control: The secure compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran and the Presidential Palace were reportedly struck, though the 86-year-old leader had reportedly been moved to a “secure location" hours prior.

Nuclear Infrastructure: Sustained strikes were reported at Isfahan, Natanz, and the Parchin military complex, aiming to set back Iran’s nuclear ambitions by years.

Missile Industry: Manufacturing hubs in Karaj and Kermanshah were targeted to “annihilate" Iran’s ballistic capabilities.

Thick plumes of smoke rose above the capital as explosions ripped through the political district. Satellite imagery later showed the compound associated with Khamenei reduced to debris.

Calls For Uprising

Amid the military escalation, Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad issued a message in Farsi calling for Iranians to rise against their government. The message urged citizens to share images and videos of protests through a secure channel.

Trump also released a recorded message broadcast overnight in Washington and around midday in Tehran, reinforcing the impression that the operation sought not only military impact but political transformation.

A Moment That Could Reshape the Region

Iran initially withheld confirmation of Khamenei’s death but later declared a 40-day national mourning period, acknowledging that the Supreme Leader had been killed.

If fully confirmed and consolidated, the killing of Khamenei would represent one of the most significant geopolitical events in recent decades — potentially altering the balance of power in the Middle East and triggering far-reaching consequences.

Meanwhile, Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed the “most ferocious offensive operation in history" against Israel and the United States following the death of the Supreme Leader.

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