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Operation Epic Fury Timeline
Home > Events > OPEF > Timeline
Operation Epic Fury began on Saturday, February 28, 2026, with a U.S.-Israel joint multi-domain offensive against Iran to destroy its missile, drone, and nuclear infrastructure. The mission saw rapid success in establishing air superiority, degrading Iran's air force, destroying Iran's navy, disruption of Iran's defense industry, and limiting Iran's ability to attack neighbors with missiles and drones.
"Strategy without tactics
is the slowest route to victory.
Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat"
Sun Tzu, The Art of
War, 6th Century BC
June 26, 2026
Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is once again minimal. Iran fired on a cargo ship in the past few days and announced further restrictions on commercial vessel traffic.
June 18, 2026
On Thursday, June 18, 2026, U.S. Central Command issued the following statement on X:
"Today, U.S. forces lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas, in accordance with the President's direction. American forces are not impeding the transit of vessels to or from Iranian ports. All U.S. military blockade enforcement efforts have ceased. Our great Naval Ships will remain in the general area to make sure that all aspects of the agreement are adhered to, obeyed and in full force and effect."
June 16, 2026
The Associated Press published a draft of the twelve-point agreement between that will likely be signed by Iran and the United States in the next few days. "Read the Transcript of the Deal Between the US and Iran", AP News, June 16, 2026.
June 13, 2026
Israel is continuing its attacks on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. President Trump warns that the continued attacks could halt the proposed ceasefire.
June 12, 2026
Iran is now framing the Strait of Hormuz as a regional issue with dialogue between Iran, Oman, and other Gulf nations. The terms of this 'new' agreement or ceasefire differ depending on which version you read. The U.S. has their version and the Iranians have their version. Until we see the actual text of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that is signed, we likely will not know the exact terms of the agreement.
June 11, 2026
President Trump said on Thursday, June 11, 2026, that the U.S. will strike Iran "very hard" and that at some point the U.S. will take control of Kharg Island. Later in the day, he had a different message, saying that he will not strike Iran. Trump said that an agreement would be signed in Europe in the next several days.
CRS Report, Effects of Iran Conflict on Natural Gas Prices, by Michael Ratner, Congressional Research Service, CRS IN12696, June 11, 2026.
June 10, 2026
President Trump says he is nearing a decision to order strikes on Iranian power plants and bridges, accusing Tehran of dragging out peace negotiations. On Tuesday night, according to President Trump, the U.S. launched 49 BGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM) against targets in Iran. Strikes by aircraft also took place.
June 9, 2026
The U.S. responded to the Iranian attack on the Appache helicopter with strikes against 20 Iranian targets. The Iranians retaliated with strikes against U.S. installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.
June 8, 2026
An AH-64 Apache attack helicopter was downed in the waters off the coast of Oman on June 8, 2026. Two aircrew members were successfully rescued by an naval drone belonging to Navy Task Force 59. "Apache Crew Rescued by Naval Drone off Coast of Oman", SOF News, June 9, 2026.
June 5, 2026
Iran said that it fired on U.S. warships in the Strait of Hormuz region. CENTCOM stated that these Iranian statements are false, that no U.S. vessels were fired on.
June 3, 2026
President Trump continues to say that Iran and the U.S. are close to negotiating an end to the Iran conflict. Iranian statements indicate that the two countries are no longer passing messages through intermediaries. The U.S. House of Representatives voted to force an end to the Iranian conflict. The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration.
June 1, 2026
Iran announced on Monday, June 1, that it will move to close the Strait of Hormuz and stop exchanging messages with the United States through intermediaries. It has accused the Trump administration and Israel of ceasefire violations.
May 31, 2026
Over the weekend May 30/31) CENTCOM conducted self-defense strikes on Iranian radar and command and control sites for drones in Goruk, Iran and Qeshm Island.
May 30, 2026
Five U.S. personnel, a mix of service members and contractors, were injured at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. They were injured by falling debris when Iranian ballistic missiles were intercepted during the missile attack. One MQ-9 Reaper was destroyed and another damaged.
May 29, 2026
Abraham Accords. President Trump has inserted a sticking point into the negotiations of the ceasefire agreement with Iran. He now wants Gulf and Arab countries to normalize ties with Israel as part of the Iran peace talks. This new demand by Trump will most likely be a failed initiative. "Trump's Hail Mary on Abraham Accords falls flat", The Hill, May 29, 2026.
Vessel Diabled by U.S. A Gambia-flagged maritime vessel attempting to sail toward an Iranian port was disabled by CENTCOM forces on May 29.
May 27, 2026
On Wednesday, Iran launched a ballistic missile toward Kuwait that was successfully intercepted by Kuwaiti forces. Iran also launched five one-way attack drones that were intercepted by U.S. forces.
Depleted Missile Inventory. CSIS has released a detailed report about how Operation Epic Fury has reduced the inventory of missiles to a problematic level. Read "Rebuilding U.S. Missile Inventory: A Multiyear Project", May, 27, 2026.
May 25, 2026
No significant updates to report. Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has increased slighty. Iran continues to send missiles and drones to some of the Gulf nations. Ceasetalks are not going anywhere. President Trump's visit to China doesn't seem to have an significant impact on the Iran confict at this time.
May 18, 2026
According to President Trump, the renewal of a bombing campaign against Iran was called off due to requests from Gulf states to allow negotiations to continue.
May 14, 2026
The Congressional Research Service
published a report entitled "U.S. Aircraft Combat Losses in
Operation Epic Fury: Considerations for Congress", CRS IN12692,
May 13, 2026
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12692
Four F-15E Strike Eagle fighter
aircraft
One F-35A Lightining II fighter aircraft
One A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft
Seven KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft
One E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft
Two MC-130J Commando II special operations aircraft
One HH-60W Jolly Green II CSAR helicopter
Twenty-four MQ-9 Reaper drones
One MQ-4C Triton drone
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May 13, 2026
The ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains fragile, with negotiations continuing through intermediaries while both sides accuse each other of violating understandings reached in April.
Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, but competing peace proposals, continued military strikes, and disputes over freedom of navigation indicate that the broader Iran conflict remains unresolved and could escalate again quickly.
U.S. officials have declared the offensive phase of Operation Epic Fury effectively over, shifting toward a defensive maritime posture focused on protecting shipping and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the ceasefire, the U.S. naval blockade of Iran remains in place, and Iran continues to exert partial control over maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz while threatening or harassing vessels.
Recent days have seen limited commercial movement resume through Hormuz, including several Chinese-linked tankers transiting the area under heightened military tension and insurance concerns.
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May 12, 2026
The Iran war has pushed inflation to highest rate in nearly three years. The Labor Department's consumer price index rose at 3.8 percent annual pace in the year ending in April. Surging gasoline prices are driving up the inflation rate.
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May 11, 2026
Iran provided a counter offer to the U.S. one-page, 14 point memorandum of understanding that would put a 30-day ceasefire into effect while negotiations could continue. The Iranian demands are essentially the same. Keeping control of the Strait of Hormuz, not giving up the uranium that they have enriched, and not ceasing their uranium production.
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May 10, 2026
The "one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding" that the U.S. provided to Iran calling for a 30-day ceasefire where negotiations would resume still has not been accepted by Iran.
Asian farmers are suffering with the high prices of fuel and fertilizer, planting seasons have begun but with less output expected in the months ahead. Currently, farmers in Asia are suffering but soon the shortage of fuel and fertilizer will affect the western hempisphere. (Washington Post, May 9, 2026).
Russia is shipping drone components to Iran via the Caspian Sea - helping Iran rebuild its offensive capabilities after losing a good percentage of its drone arsenal. "Long Overlooked, Caspian Sea Provides Strategic Route for Iran", The New York Times, May 9, 2026.
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May 9, 2026
The Royal Navy is deploying a destroyer to the Middle East region. The HMS Dragon is a Type 45 destroyer. "Britain to deploy air defence warship to Hormuz", UK Defence Journal, May 9, 2026.
It is reported that the CIA estimates Iran still has 70-75% of its missiles. The U.S. has expended 45% of its precision strike inventory.
May 8, 2026
On Friday, May 8, U.S. Central Command announced (X) that CENTCOM forces have redirected 57 commericial vessels and disabled 4 to prevent the ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports.
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May 7, 2026
On Thursday, three U.S. destroyers transiting out of the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz were attacked by Iranian drones, missiles, and small boats. No damage to the U.S. ships and all attacking forces were destroyed. See a Truth Social post on this topic.
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May 6, 2026
President Trump has suspended "Project Freedom". American military bases were targeted in Erbil, Iraq on Wednesday, May 6. In addition, Kurdish forces near Erbil were targeted. Behind the scenes negotiations are occuring through intermediaries; principally Pakistan.
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May 5, 2026
On Tuesday, May 5, Iran established the "Persian Gulft Strait Authority" which requires advanced coordination with Iran and paying a toll for vessels that wish to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
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May 4, 2026
Today is the first day of an operation the U.S. is conducting to provide safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for U.S.-flagged and neutral commercial vessels. The U.S. is conducting mine clearance and providing directions for the safe lanes of the strait for travel.
Iran says that it fired to missiles at a U.S. warship attempting to enter the strait on Monday. The U.S. says none of its ships were struck. One commericial vessel from a South Korean shipping firm was struck. The engine room caught fire, ship is being towed to Dubai and crew is safe.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported missile and drone launches over its airspace on Monday, the first attacks from Tehran since the U.S.-Iran ceasefire went into effect last month.
U.S. Navy MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters and U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopters were used to eliminate Iranian small boats threatening commercial shipping.
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May 3, 2026
There is a lot of discussion about the 60-day War Powers Act. Some are calling the naval blockade and extension of hostilities but the Trump administration is saying that the 'war' has ended once the ceasefire was implemented.
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May 2, 2026
Another proposal has been sent by Iran to the Trump administration. The president is looking it over. It has three main features. The administration is looking it over. The U.S. naval blockade is still in effect. Maritime traffic is stll minimal due to threats of Iranian mines, and attacks by small boats, rockets, and drones.
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May 1, 2026
Iran has floated yet another counter-proposal through Pakistan intermediaries. Still not much of a compromise as Iran continues to hold on to its right to enrich uranium and control the Strait of Hormuz.
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