U.S. forces launched a sweeping military assault on Iranian targets on Saturday, unleashing overwhelming air, sea and missile power in a coordinated operation with Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mission \u2014 dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” \u2014 began at 1:15 a.m. and struck more than 1,000 sites across Iran within its first 24 hours, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior regime officials were eliminated in the strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The barrage featured B-2 stealth bombers, F-22 and F-16 fighter jets, A-10 attack aircraft, EA-18G electronic warfare planes, and an array of airborne early warning and communications platforms, CENTCOM said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Missile defense systems, including Patriot interceptors and THAAD anti-ballistic missile defenses, were deployed as part of the operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other assets included RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft, MQ-9 Reaper drones, HIMARS rocket systems, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers, refueling tankers, and C-17 and C-130 transport aircraft, CENTCOM said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The command also released images of Tomahawk cruise missiles, as well as F-18 and F-35 fighter jets roaring into combat, according to Reuters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CENTCOM additionally confirmed it deployed one-way attack drones in combat for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System \u2014 known as LUCAS \u2014 is modeled after Iran\u2019s Shahed drones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“CENTCOM’s Task Force Scorpion Strike \u2014 for the first time in history \u2014 is using one-way attack drones in combat during Operation Epic Fury,” CENTCOM wrote on X. “These low-cost drones, modeled after Iran’s Shahed drones, are now delivering American-made retribution.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Developed by Arizona-based engineering firm SpektreWorks, the LUCAS drone can be launched from catapults, vehicles or mobile ground platforms, according to Business Insider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The drones cost roughly $35,000 each, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strikes targeted command and control centers, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Joint Headquarters and Aerospace Forces Headquarters, integrated air defense systems, ballistic missile sites, Iranian Navy ships and submarines, anti-ship missile sites and military communications infrastructure, according to CENTCOM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran retaliated by launching waves of missiles across the Middle East, targeting major U.S. bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, Business Insider reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three U.S. service members were killed and five others were “seriously wounded” as part of Operation Epic Fury, CENTCOM said Sunday morning. The joint military operation is expected to carry on for days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n