U.S. CENTCOM confirms strikes on Iranian missile and drone sites

United States Central Command (CENTCOM) released new operational details on Feb. 28 about Operation Epic Fury, confirming that United States and partner forces conducted large-scale strikes against Iranian military targets beginning at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time under orders from the President of the United States.

According to the CENTCOM statement, the operation targeted elements of Iran’s security apparatus assessed to pose an imminent threat, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields.

The newly released information clarifies the scope and early results of the operation, which military officials described as a coordinated effort to dismantle operational capabilities linked to missile and drone attacks threatening United States and partner forces in the region.

CENTCOM said strikes were executed simultaneously across multiple domains using precision munitions launched from air, land, and sea platforms during the opening phase of the campaign.

“The President ordered bold action, and our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are answering the call,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM.

Following the initial strike wave, CENTCOM reported that U.S. forces successfully defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks launched in retaliation. The command stated there have been no reports of U.S. casualties or combat-related injuries, and damage to American installations was described as minimal and not affecting ongoing operations.

The updated release also confirmed the first combat employment of low-cost one-way attack drones by CENTCOM’s Task Force Scorpion Strike. These systems were used alongside conventional precision weapons during the early hours of Operation Epic Fury.

In practical military terms, one-way attack drones—often categorized as loitering munitions—are designed to strike targets directly after being launched, allowing forces to engage air defenses, launch sites, or infrastructure with precision while limiting exposure of crewed aircraft. Their use reflects an increasing reliance on unmanned systems integrated into joint strike operations.

CENTCOM described Operation Epic Fury as involving “the largest regional concentration of American military firepower in a generation,” indicating the scale of forces deployed across the theater.

According to reporting citing U.S. officials, the broader strike package included coordinated attacks conducted with partner forces against Iranian military infrastructure tied to missile and drone operations.

The defensive phase that followed the strikes demonstrated layered air and missile defense operations, as interception systems countered large volumes of incoming threats while maintaining operational continuity at U.S. bases.

CENTCOM did not disclose precise strike locations or the number of assets involved, citing operational security. Officials also did not identify partner nations participating in the operation.

Operation Epic Fury represents one of the largest coordinated U.S. military actions in the region in recent years, combining precision strike weapons, unmanned systems, and integrated defensive capabilities under a unified command structure.