Overview
- U.S. commanders, who briefed reporters Wednesday, said Operation Epic Fury launched 62 bomber sorties using B-1, B-2 and B-52 aircraft.
- Central Command said strikes hit more than 13,000 targets across Iran, and General Dan Caine estimated about 80% of Iranian air defenses were destroyed along with thousands of command nodes and key weapons depots.
- Eighteen sorties were nonstop round trips from the United States that each lasted over 30 hours, with outlets reporting the longest legs were likely flown by B-2 stealth bombers refueled in flight.
- A two-week ceasefire announced Tuesday by the United States, Iran and Israel paused broader strikes, though Israel said it hit targets before the truce took effect and Gulf states reported fresh Iranian launches.
- The campaign carried a cost for U.S. forces with 13 troops killed, hundreds wounded and several aircraft lost, as the Pentagon keeps units in the region to monitor compliance with the pause.