In an unprecedented escalation, the United States launched major combat operations against Iran on February 28, 2026, following years of rising tensions in the Middle East. This military action, known as Operation Epic Fury, involved massive joint strikes by U.S. and Israeli forces targeting military and government sites. The strikes resulted in significant casualties, including the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking the end of his 47-year leadership. With the power vacuum created, his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was later named as his successor. The Iranian government reacted vehemently to these attacks, initiating retaliations in the form of missile and drone strikes directed at U.S. bases and allies in the Gulf region. As the conflict unfolded, Iran attempted to obstruct shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. This blockade, coupled with missile strikes, heightened tensions across the region, leading to air raid sirens sounding in places like Tel Aviv. In a roundtable discussion, President Trump emphasized that after consulting with defense officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, it became clear that a decisive action was necessary to counter what he described as Iran's continued threat of becoming a nuclear power. He stated that Iran had been, for decades, a