This article was written by Melinda Liu.

Day One, February 28

– 1:15 am ET: US Central Command announces via X (formerly Twitter) that American forces, alongside Israeli ones, are launching Operation Epic Fury with “large-scale coordinated strike campaign against Iranian military and regime targets.”

A missile launching from a U.S. vessel in the Middle East during Operation Epic Fury. Source: U.S. Central Command

-The operation involved “U.S. Patriot and THAAD batteries, and ballistic missile ​defense-capable Navy destroyers,” along with one-way drones and B-2 stealth bombers, targeting “Iran’s command and ​control infrastructure, naval ⁠forces, ballistic missile sites and intelligence infrastructure.”

-An Israeli strike hits a girl’s elementary school in southern Iran, with Iranian state media reporting a death toll of 160+ and nearly 100 more injured. Israel reports that the school was not deliberately targeted, while US Central Command states that it is looking into the incident.

The wreckage of the school. Source: Al Jazeera.

-4:37 PM ET: President Trump posts on Truth Social, claiming that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran, has been killed in the strikes.

-US-based human rights monitor Human Rights Activist News Agency reports a minimum death toll of 133 in Iran, along with 200 more civilians injured.

A plume of smoke rises over Tehran. Source: NPR. 

Day Two, March 1

–Iranian state television confirms that Ali Khamenei is dead, along with the deaths of numerous other top advisors and military leaders. A 40-day mourning period is declared.

-In retaliatory strikes, Iran bombs Israel and US bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq, Bahrain, Oman, Cyprus, Lebanon, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

A missile fired by Iran can be seen over a refugee camp in southern Palestine. Source: CNN. 

–At least 742 civilians have now been killed in Iran, with almost 1000 injured and many more deaths under review. 

-The US, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates issue a joint statement condemning Iran’s missile and drone attacks.

–Iran forms a three-person interim council, while an 88-member panel known as the Assembly of Experts must choose a new Supreme Leader as soon as possible. The interim council consists of Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, current President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei.

A meeting of the Assembly of Experts to pick new members of its body following a helicopter crash that killed two members, June 2024. Source: Al Majalla

–As of Sunday, nearly 400 missiles and more than 800 drones have been launched by Iran, with most being intercepted before reaching their targets.

Day Three, March 2

–Early morning: Two Iranian-made drones hit a British air base in Cyprus, causing damage but no casualties. 

–Early morning: Hezbollah launches missiles and drones at a base in northern Israel in retaliation for the killing of Khamenei. Israel reports that the attacks did not damage (one missile was intercepted, and others landed in open areas).

Israel’s retaliatory strikes in Beirut. Source: The New York Times

-11:03 PM ET: US Central Command reports that three US planes flying as part of Operation Epic Fury were shot down in Kuwait by mistake, in an apparent incident of friendly fire. All six people onboard the planes ejected safely and are in stable condition.

A US fighter jet shot down by mistake. Source: The Aviationist. 

-2:07 PM ET: The Middle East Eye reports that Gulf states have requested refills of US air defense interceptors (crucial to intercepting missiles before they hit), a request that has been discouraged by the US

-The US military reports that the death toll of US troops stands at six.

–President Trump states that the campaign is expected to last four to five weeks, but that the US and allies can go beyond that timeframe

–Bahrain reports 70 missiles and 59 drones downed. Qatar downs two Iranian planes, seven ballistic missiles, and five drones. The UAE reports intercepting nine ballistic missiles, six cruise missiles, and 148 drones. Kuwait has intercepted 97 ballistic missiles and 283 drones since the start of the conflict.

A map of affected areas. Source: CNN.

–Iranian attacks on Dubai result in the closure of its airport, as many high-profile locations have been struck. As a result, private jet prices have skyrocketed to as much as three times their usual rate, as others head for a four and a half hour drive to neighboring Oman.

A plume of smoke rises in Dubai. Source: CNN.

–Many countries and international observers demand de-escalation and dialogue in accordance with international law, while others condemned Iran’s strikes and expressed support for Israel and the US.

–US Secretary of State Marco Rubio holds a briefing with Democratic and Republican leaders. Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe are planning to brief all members of the House and Senate, many of whom were not given the details of the operation previously.

–Congress is “set to vote on bipartisan war powers resolutions” that could potentially limit President Trump’s Iranian military operations, with votes expected by the middle of the week. 

-The price of oil increases, and oil and gas prices may rise even more as Iran targets energy infrastructure. ⅕ of the world’s oil passes through the Hormuz Strait, which Iran has now closed, claiming that any ship that passes through will be attacked.