US strikes 1,700 targets across Iran in first 48 hours of Operation Epic Fury
March 4, 2026
The US struck over 1,700 targets across Iran as of the first 48 hours of operations, with Israel contributing an unknown number more. At the same time, there are indications that Iran is running out of ballistic missiles and/or the ability to launch them. Going forward, Iran will likely rely increasingly on drones to strike US and allied targets in the region.
CENTCOM updates on Iran air campaign
Yesterday, the US CENTCOM disclosed the range of military assets taking part in the strikes against Iran. It said “Operation Epic Fury involves the largest regional concentration of American military firepower in a generation,” in line with open source analysts who noted it was the biggest US air power build up in the region since 2003.
Operation Epic Fury: The first 48 hours pic.twitter.com/uCQqHq5Ajx
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 2, 2026
By yesterday, CENTCOM said it had struck over 1,700 targets across Iran with targets including ballistic missile sites, Iranian Navy ships, Iranian submarines, anti-ship missile sites, command and control sites, and more.
CENTCOM said it was “striking targets to dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritising locations that pose an imminent threat.”
Number of Iran launches at Israel:
— Firas Maksad (@FirasMaksad) March 3, 2026
Saturday- 90 🚀
Sunday- 70 🚀
Monday- 25 🚀
Tuesday- 20 🚀
Picture that emerges:
▪️#Iran running out of longer-range 🚀
▪️Activating #Hezbollah = desperation
▪️GCC hammered harder than #Israel
Days ahead harder for #GCC.
Much more drones.
So far, Iranian propaganda notwithstanding, there are no reliable reports that any US or Israeli manned aircraft have been shot down by Iran. The US lost three F-15Es to friendly fire by a Kuwaiti F/A-18; all pilots survived.
US aircraft taking part in Operation Epic Fury
The operation has seen the participation of all US combat aircraft types in service, except for the AV-8B Harrier II, which is expected to retire this year. Combat aircraft involved include F-15s, F-16s, F/A-18s, F-22s, F-35s, EA-18Gs, and A-10 Warthogs. The A-10 is also expected to retire later this decade, meaning this could be one of the last hurrahs for the venerable ground attack aircraft.
The first day of the attacks saw the US Air Force strike Iran with its B-2 Spirit bombers, which were followed by the B-1B Lancers the following day. Yesterday, there was confirmation that the Air Force had started using its B-52 Stratofortresses, indicating it is now confident in the degradation of Iran’s air defence.
Other manned aircraft include AWACS, P-8 Poseidons, RC-135 River Joints, C-17 Globemaster IIIs, and C-130 Hercules. The KC-135 and KC-46A tankers are also playing a critical role, and are imperative to the USAF’s ability to project power.
Drones taking part include MQ-9 Reapers, which have been seen loitering over the important Iranian city of Shiraz, and LUCAS drones. LUCAS drones are US cheap one-way attack drones and essentially a reverse-engineered Shahed-type drone.
Continued operations against Iranian air force
Since CENTCOM’s update, strikes have continued at a pace. In significant developments today, an Iranian frigate was sunk off the coast of Sri Lanka, reportedly by a US submarine.
BREAKING: The Iranian Navy frigate Dena, a Mowj-class vessel, was reportedly sunk by a U.S. submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka, according to Reuters.
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) March 4, 2026
At least 101 people were missing and 78 wounded after a submarine attack on an Iranian ship off Sri Lanka's coast. The ship… pic.twitter.com/G8g1hw86Of
The Israeli IDF announced one of its F-35I fighter jets shot down a Russian-supplied Yak-130 advanced trainer/light attack aircraft.
AGN has reported that Iran has been flying its Yak-130s and MiG-29s over Tehran, apparently in an attempt to intercept incoming munitions or drones. Given Israel’s and the US’s air dominance over Iran, this was always extremely dangerous.
The Yak-130 is significant as it was the latest fixed-wing aircraft supplied by Russia to Iran, with deliveries starting in 2023. It is unclear if Russia delivered any Su-35s, even though there was reporting last year that they had.
What is left of Iran’s air force is being rapidly destroyed, although the most surprising shootdowns were by Qatar, which announced it had shot down a pair of ageing Iranian Su-24 Fencers.
Featured Image: USAF
