Overnight and during the early morning hours of February 28, 2026, the military forces of the US and Israel launched an attack on Iran in a coordinated missile, air, and naval attack hitting hundreds of key military and government sites. This is the second major strike on Iran since the first one occurred last year, which took out much of Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities. The coordinated military operation, dubbed Operation Epic Fury on Iran by the US and Operation Roaring Lion by Israel, targeted Iran’s leadership, military infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and air defenses in an effort to dismantle the regime and neutralize the remaining threats from its nuclear and missile programs.

In the first day of Operation Epic Fury on Iran, Israel launched the most extensive air attack in its history, using over 200 aircraft. The US had deployed an armada of naval ships, including two of its most powerful aircraft carriers and dozens of destroyers, submarines, and other support ships. The US also positioned fighters and bombers across the region at its many bases ranging from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean. In addition to hundreds of aircraft, the US used cruise missiles and for the first time deployed dozens of kamikaze drones to overwhelm and take out Iran’s air defenses.

Operation Epic Fury on Iran began with waves of attacks on its capital city Tehran and other major cities, focusing on Khamenei’s central leadership compound, the Ministry of Intelligence, armed forces headquarters, and sites across 24 of Iran’s 31 provinces. Israeli forces claimed to have dismantled most of Iran’s aerial defense systems, while US involvement included aircraft carriers and support for regime change objectives.

The strikes, which continue into the week of March 1, resulted in the confirmed death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and at least 49 other high-ranking officials, according to US President Donald Trump, who described the operation as “ahead of schedule.”

Iran has retaliated with missile strikes on Israeli cities and US military bases in the region, escalating the conflict and causing casualties on multiple sides. As of March 2, 2026, the conflict remains active and even accelerating, with Israel conducting around-the-clock airstrikes on Tehran, and Iran vowing severe revenge, amid fears of a broader regional war.

As of March 3, it was reported that Israel located a high level meeting of Iran’s remaining government to elect a successor to Khamenei.  Israeli aircraft were able to destroy the site with everyone inside, which virtually eliminated the remaining leaders within the Iranian government and military.  At least 88 government ministers were present to vote on a successor to the Ayatollah, so most of the Iranian leadership has now been taken out.

On March 4, it was announced that the ability of Iran to retaliate had been dramatically decreased, while the US and Israel were stepping up their bombardment. According to reports, the goal is to take out all of Iran’s drones, missiles, navy, and as much of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRG) as possible.  This goal also includes the elimination of all industrial facilities that can manufacture missiles or drones.  In addition, it was later reported that the US had sunk all of Iran’s large naval vessels in the Persian Gulf area, and even took out one major ship in the Indian Ocean.

What Does this Conflict Mean for End Times Bible Prophecy?

The Bible clearly predicts that Iran (Persia) will be an enemy of Israel in the End Times. Iran is also predicted to be an ally of Russia in its attack on Israel during the beginning phases of the Great Tribulation of the Last Days (see the sections under World War III and especially The Attack of Russia). It is not surprising, therefore, that Israel and Iran have repeatedly found themselves at war in recent years. Operation Epic Fury on Iran is the latest example of open warfare between the countries, which resulted mainly due to Iran’s support of terror attacks against Israel and their stated goal of the destruction of Israel and the US if they ever obtain nuclear weapons.

Whatever happens at the end of this war, it will not change Iran into an ally of Israel. This conflict may function to effectively neutralize Iran to the point where Israel can enter into a regional peace agreement with many Middle East countries, thus bringing about the time of “peace and safety” that the Bible predicts before “sudden destruction” comes upon them at the end (1 Thess. 5:3).