The Epic Fury Operation
The United States initiated a major air campaign, codenamed Epic Fury, against Iran on Saturday, February 28. Also known as Lion's Roar, the operation aims to completely paralyze Iran's military infrastructure. This aerial campaign involves the deployment of 134 U.S. Air Force strategic refueling aircraft, including 99 older KC-135s and 35 modern KC-46A Pegasus tankers. This massive show of air power underscores a significant escalation in regional tensions.
According to available data, Iran is capable of launching between 500 and 4,000 drones simultaneously, highlighting the serious threat faced by U.S. forces. Military affairs expert Mohammad Farajallah stated that
"a large-scale air operation is precisely what is being implemented. No amphibious landing or ground invasion is planned. The primary goal is to completely paralyze Iran from the air, placing it in a position where resistance becomes too costly, or to methodically destroy all of its key positions."
Socio-Economic Shifts in Iran
Beyond the military aspects, the expert also touched on socio-economic changes within Iran, noting that 'a new bourgeoisie has formed in Iran over the last fifty years.' He indicated that this new elite, possessing significant wealth, is not interested in self-sacrifice for the ideals of the ayatollahs, which could influence the country's internal political processes.
Farajallah also commented on the high level of intelligence required for the operation's success:
"Where does such jewel-like precision of information come from? Someone knew exactly which minute Khamenei exited the bunker."In his view, this points to deep penetration of the Iranian regime by the CIA and Mossad. The operation thus relies on intelligence as much as on raw air power.
Consequently, the Epic Fury air operation carries significant strategic objectives and could trigger serious repercussions for Iran's domestic politics, given the new socio-economic realities and the population's potential reaction to external military actions.
Epic Fury represents a critical phase in U.S. military strategy, demonstrating the readiness of American forces to take active measures in response to threats from Iran. Given the sophisticated intelligence accompanying this operation and the shifts in Iran's socio-economic structure, the consequences of these actions are likely to influence the future political development both within Iran and across the wider region.