The Aircraft Behind the U.S. Strikes on Iran

CENTCOM forces have hit over 1,000 targets inside the country so far.

Zach Vasile

Monday, March 02, 2026 at 04:50 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

U.S. aircraft taking part in Operation Epic Fury [Credit: U.S. Central Command]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. military, in conjunction with Israel, is conducting "Operation Epic Fury," a large-scale air campaign against Iran, deploying an unprecedented concentration of crewed aircraft, drones, ships, and missile systems, described as the largest in a generation.
Over 1,000 targets have been struck inside Iran since the operation began, including military and intelligence centers, missile systems, naval assets, and leadership residences.
The campaign has resulted in significant impacts, including the reported death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and numerous high-ranking officials, with the U.S. prepared for further escalation.

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The U.S. military is using a wide range of crewed aircraft, drones, ships, and missile systems in its air campaign against Iran, amounting to the largest regional concentration of American firepower “in a generation,” according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

In an overview released Sunday, military officials said over 1,000 targets have been struck inside Iran since Operation Epic Fury began Saturday morning. Among the aircraft taking part in the operation are B-2 stealth bombers, F-16s, F-18s, F-22s, A-10 Warthogs, F-35s, and EA-18G electronic attack airplanes.