Overnight Friday, the United States, working in coordination with Israel, launched a sweeping military operation targeting Iran’s regime leadership and military infrastructure in what officials are calling “Operation Epic Fury.”
In a video posted to social media Sunday afternoon, President Donald Trump said “hundreds of targets” were hit in Iran, including Revolutionary Guard facilities, Iranian air defense systems, and naval ships. He also confirmed the death of Ayatollah Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran since 1989.
In addition to Khamenei, Israeli strikes took out more than 40 top Iranian regime and security officials in the first wave of the attack, according to multiple reports. Some of those officials reportedly include head of National Defense Council Ali Shamkhani and Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh.
The Operation
As reported on Monday’s AM Update, four American B-2 bombers dropped dozens of 2,000-pound bombs on Iranian ballistic missile facilities while U.S. naval forces struck additional targets at sea. The U.S. military carried out 900 strikes in the first 12 hours of the operation alone.
Iran responded, launching strikes against Israel and U.S. targets in neighboring states, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees U.S. military operations across the Middle East, reported U.S. forces defended against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks leading to minimal damage. However, the Pentagon confirmed six U.S. service members have been killed since the operation began.
The strikes followed weeks of escalating tension as the United States surged military assets into the region, including two aircraft carriers, while U.S. and Iranian officials pursued nuclear negotiations. Reuters reported last week that the latest round of talks ended with “no deal but potential signs of progress.”
While the timeline has varied slightly across the president’s interviews, he indicated Operation Epic Fury will be a four to five week process. On Monday, he did not rule out using ground troops if needed. “I don’t have the yips with respect to boots on the ground,” the president told The New York Post. “Like every president says, ‘There will be no boots on the ground.’ I don’t say it. I say ‘probably don’t need them,’ or ‘if they were necessary.’”
The Analysis
On Monday’s show, Megyn laid out why she is skeptical of President Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran. She was joined by guests, including former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, UnHerd editor Sohrab Ahmari, and National Review’s Rich Lowry and Charles C.W. Cooke, to talk through all sides and angles. Keep scrolling for complete coverage and analysis.
Why Parts of MAGA Feel Abandoned
Megyn and Greene discuss pro-war propaganda being pushed out on social media and throughout the establishment press as the U.S. begins war with Iran, whether this foreign policy action is an abandonment of MAGA principles, the reality of America First, and more.
The Case for Trump’s War with Iran
Lowry and Cooke joined to discuss the global celebrations after the toppling of the Ayatollah, the case for the war as beneficial to America and the world, the need for more information and explanation from Trump and his administration about why he is taking this action, and more.
Diverging Opinions
Ahmari joins Megyn to share why he opposes U.S. military intervention in Iran, America’s recent history of failed Middle East regime change wars, the cheerleading of the war on Fox News, and more.
The Potential for ‘Boots on the Ground’ in Iran
Megyn and Ahmari discuss what would happen if Trump declared victory and ended the military action in Iran, the potential for American “boots on the ground,” and more.
You can check out Megyn’s full coverage by tuning in to episode 1,263 on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch The Megyn Kelly Show live on SiriusXM’s The Megyn Kelly Channel (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.