Mideast Erupts: US-Israel Strikes Target Iran

U.S. Central Command forces and the Israeli Air Force (IAF) have carried out more than 15,000 strikes on targets in Iran since February 28, after the start of Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion, according to the source material. The campaign has focused on Iran’s military capabilities and its military-industrial base, including infrastructure tied to drone and missile production. Officials described the actions as coordinated between the United States and Israel.

The source material says the strikes have destroyed or damaged an estimated two-thirds of Iran’s missile and drone arsenal. It also states that drone and missile manufacturing sites were among the targets, framing the effort as aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to replenish key systems. The operations are presented as having significantly weakened Iran’s military capacity and related industrial support.

The stated U.S. and Israeli objectives include preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, pushing back against Iran’s ballistic missile program, and countering Iran’s regional proxy networks. The decision to begin the war was influenced by what the source describes as perceived Iranian vulnerabilities after the October 7, 2023, attacks. The source also links the current campaign to earlier strikes against Iran’s nuclear program in June 2025.

Despite operational coordination, the source material describes continuing strategic gaps between Washington and Jerusalem. Israel is said to prioritize the complete elimination of Iran’s ballistic missile program and to favor maximalist outcomes, including regime change or an end to Iran’s ability to project power.

The United States, by contrast, is described as weighing a broader set of constraints tied to global energy markets, risks of economic disruption, and the need to preserve military readiness for other contingencies.

As the conflict moves into its second month, the source material says U.S. President Donald Trump is reviewing a range of paths, from pursuing an immediate off-ramp to adopting a longer attrition approach, or escalating in order to de-escalate. The same account notes that these deliberations are taking place while the Strait of Hormuz is closed, a development with direct relevance for global energy flows and international shipping routes.

Key uncertainties remain around how quickly Iran can reconstitute damaged capabilities and how U.S. and Israeli strategic priorities will be reconciled as the campaign continues. The source material does not specify timelines for the operations’ next phase or conditions that would define success for both partners. It also leaves open how the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will shape decision-making as the conflict persists.