Zero U.S. Casualties During Iranian Retaliatory Strikes, Says CENTCOM
There were no casualties following retaliatory strikes by the Iranian Islamist regime in response to the first salvo of the US-led military Operation Epic Fury, CENTCOM announced on Saturday.
Operation Epic Fury represented “the largest regional concentration of U.S. military firepower in a generation,” according to one report. statement published on social networks by the American central command.
“US and partner forces began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. ET to dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritizing locations that posed an imminent threat. Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields,” CENTCOM said.
“The President has ordered bold action, and our courageous Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardsmen and Coast Guardsmen are answering the call,” said CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper.
Central Command said its forces “successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks,” with no U.S. casualties or combat-related injuries reported in the first round of attacks Saturday.
US military installations in the region suffered only “minimal” damage from the Iranian strikes and operations were not affected, CENTCOM said.
“Operation Epic Fury involves the largest regional concentration of U.S. military firepower in a generation,” U.S. Central Command said, adding that “the opening hours of the operation included precision munitions launched from the air, land and sea.”
CENTCOM also confirmed earlier reports that the United States deployed “low-cost, one-way attack drones” for the first time in a combat operation as part of its “Task Force Scorpion Strike” on Saturday.
According to the Israel TimesAccording to the state-backed Iranian Red Crescent NGO, at least 201 people were killed and 747 injured in Iran following Saturday’s US-Israeli strikes.
It remains unclear whether senior leaders of the Islamist regime were killed in these strikes, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly said Saturday that the ayatollah was alive “as far as I know.”
Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said that they carried out the “largest military flyover” in their history, claiming that 200 Israeli Air Force (IAF) jets carried out a “widespread strike against the IRGC’s missile network and air defense systems in western and central Iran.”
The Israeli military said more than 500 targets in Iran were hit, including “air defense systems and missile launchers,” in simultaneous strikes across Iran.
“Conducted according to precise planning with excellent intelligence, while synchronizing hundreds of combat aircraft, the strikes helped extend the IAF’s air superiority over Iranian airspace.”
President Donald Trump on Saturday urged the Iranian people to seize the opportunity of the strikes to topple the Islamist government in Tehran, saying “the hour of your freedom is near.”
“When we’re done, take control of your government. It will be yours to take. It will probably be your only chance for generations… now is the time to take control of your destiny,” he said.
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