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 has launched "Operation Epic Fury" against Iran in a joint offensive with Israel, striking over 1,000 targets with what U.S. Central Command describes as the largest regional concentration of American firepower in a generation.
The operation utilizes a wide array of advanced military assets, including B-2 stealth bombers, F-35s, MQ-9 Reaper and new LUCAS drones, guided-missile destroyers, aircraft carriers, and various missile defense systems.
The strikes have targeted key Iranian military and intelligence centers, missile facilities, and leadership residences, reportedly resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other 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.