More US troops being deployed to Middle East amid Operation Epic Fury: Gen Caine
The U.S. is continuing to build up forces in the Middle East as Operation Epic Fury continues, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine confirmed on Monday.
Caine made the statement during a press conference updating the public on the operation’s progress. He said the U.S. commander for the operation, Admiral Brad Cooper, has consistently received new assets throughout the operation against Iran.
“Admiral Cooper will receive additional forces even today,” Caine said during his remarks.
Caine declined to offer details when a reporter pressed for specifics on what sort of additional support Cooper would be receiving.
“I don’t want to talk specifics, because that would tip the enemy off,” Caine said. “We have more tactical aviation flowing into theater just based on the time it took to get it out there. I think we’re just about where we want to be in terms of total combat capacity and total combat power for Admiral Cooper.”
“One of the things, though, that as commander he’ll consistently assess the trajectory of the campaign, Caine continued, saying Cooper could make additional requests to War Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Donald Trump.
Khamenei’s wife dead after Saturday strike: Iranian media
Mansoureh Khojasteh, the wife of late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei died on Monday after sustaining injuries in airstrikes on her husband’s office on Saturday, Iranian media says.
Iranian media said Khjasteh had been in a coma since the Saturday strikes that kicked off Operation Epic Fury.
Khojasteh, 78, had been married to Khamenei since 1964 and was his only wife.
Khamenei was among dozens of top Iranian leaders to be killed in the opening wave of the joint U.S-Israeli attack on Iran.
Washington Post slammed for describing Ayatollah Khamenei as ‘avuncular’ with ‘easy smile’
The Washington Post described Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on Saturday, as having a “bushy white beard and an easy smile” in its obituary of the Iranian leader this weekend.
“With his bushy white beard and easy smile, Ayatollah Khamenei cut a more avuncular figure in public than his perpetually scowling but much more revered mentor, and he was known to be fond of Persian poetry and classic Western novels, especially Victor Hugo’s ‘Les Misérables.’ But like the uncompromising Khomeini, he opposed moderates’ efforts to promote political and social reforms domestically and to secure rapprochement with the United States,” the Post wrote in its obituary of supreme leader.
Khamenei, along with other top leaders, was killed after an Israeli strike in Tehran as part of a massive coordinated U.S.-Israeli military offensive called “Operation Epic Fury.”
The piece was met with pushback on social media. The obituary noted the leader was responsible for thousands of murders in a lengthy article about how he rose to power in Iran.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, wrote in response to WaPo’s paragraph on Khamenei, “this is sick.”
Actor James Woods wrote, “This is not satire,” as he quoted the Post’s description of Khamenei.
The Washington Post faced backlash in 2019 after describing ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as an “austere religious scholar” in his obituary after his killing during Trump’s first term.
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Hanna Panreck.
Caine reveals final ‘go’ order from Trump before Iran attack
Chairman of the Join Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine revealed President Donald Trump’s final “go” order that launched Operation Epic Fury on Saturday.
Caine offered the detail during a press conference at the Pentagon on Monday, saying aspects of the operation had taken months and even years of planning.
“The president directed, and I quote, ‘Operation Epic Fury is approved. No aborts. Good luck,’ close quote,” Caine said.
Caine and War Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered an update on the conflict on Monday, saying U.S. and Israeli forces have conducted “hundreds” of sorties to drop thousands of pieces of ordnance onto Iranian targets in the 57 hours since the conflict began.
US cyber operations left Iran unable to ‘coordinate or respond effectively’ to US strikes: Gen Caine
U.S. space and cyber operations rendered Iran unable to coordinate an effective response as the U.S. launched the opening salvos of Operation Epic Fury, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine.
Caine gave a detailed a detailed timeline of the buildup and execution of the operation, saying it was a coordinated effort involving aircraft launched from the mainland United States, bases in the region and the USS Gerald Ford and Abraham Lincoln strike groups.
Iranian regime ‘had every chance’ to make nuclear deal: Hegseth
War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran’s regime had “every chance” to strike a nuclear deal with the U.S., but ultimately refused.
Hegseth made the statement during a press conference in the wake of the opening phase of Operation Epic Fury on Monday.
“The former regime had every chance to make a peaceful and sensible deal. But Tehran was not negotiating. They were stalling, buying time to reload their missile stockpiles and restart their nuclear ambitions,” Hegseth said.
“Their goal? Hold us hostage, threatening to strike our forces. Well, President Trump doesn’t play those games. And as Secretary Rubio said after the Maduro raid, if you don’t know, now, you know, President Trump puts America and Americans first. He doesn’t hesitate, and neither do our troops,” he added.
Since the operation began on Saturday morning, joint U.S.-Israeli forces have conducted “hundreds” of sorties against Iranian targets, according to the Pentagon.
Hegseth tells nation: ‘We didn’t start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it’
War Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the nation amid Operation Epic Fury on Monday, saying the U.S. didn’t start the conflict with Iran, “but under President Trump, we are finishing it.”
Hegseth said Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s regime was building fleets of ballistic missiles and drones in an attempt to “create a conventional shield for their nuclear blackmail ambitions.”
“To Iranian security forces: Choose wisely. President Trump has also been clear about your fate in either direction,” Hegseth said.
The War Secretary went on to dismiss accusations that the attack on Iran is another “endless war” that could bog down the U.S.
“This operation is a clear, devastating, decisive mission. Destroy the missile threat. Destroy the navy. No nukes,” Hegseth said. “We fight to win, and we don’t waste time or lives.”
Israeli strike eliminates Hezbollah’s intelligence chief in Beirut, IDF says
Israeli forces eliminated the head of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters in a strike on Beirut, Lebanon on Monday, according to the Israeli Air Force.
Israel says the strike, taking place at night local time, eliminated Hassan Maglad.
“The IDF is now confirming that in a precise strike in Beirut tonight, the terrorist Hassan Maqlad, who served as the head of the intelligence headquarters of the terror organization Hezbollah, has been eliminated,” the IDF said in a statement.
Israel expanded its attacks to include Iran-backed Hezbollah on Sunday after the terrorist group launched attacks into Israel this weekend.
The joint U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran have eliminated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as well as dozens of other top Iranian officials, including the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
4th US service member confirmed dead in Iran war
A fourth U.S. servicemember has been killed in action as part of Operation Epic Fury, U.S. Central Command announced Monday.
The servicemember, who has yet to be identified, was among those seriously wounding during Iran’s initial counterattacks after the U.S. and Israel launched the operation on Saturday.
“As of 7:30 am ET, March 2, four U.S. service members have been killed in action. The fourth service member, who was seriously wounded during Iran’s initial attacks, eventually succumbed to their injuries,” CENTCOM wrote on X.
“Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing,” it added.
The identities of the fallen are being withheld until 24 hours after the military has notified the soldier’s next of kin.
Americans in Iraq urged to shelter in place until further notice
The U.S. Embassy in Iraq urged Americans in the country to shelter in place on Monday, warning of Iran-backed militias active across the country, among other threats.
“U.S. Mission Iraq advises U.S. citizens to exercise increased caution, keep a low profile, and shelter in place until further notice. U.S. citizens should avoid crowds, as demonstrations may turn violent with little warning. Iran-aligned terrorist militias continue to pose a significant threat to public safety. Reports of missiles, drones, and rockets in Iraqi airspace continue,” The Embassy in Baghdad wrote on X.
“There are ongoing riots, protests, and other demonstrations against the United States, especially on the south bank of the July 14th Bridge in Baghdad; these riots have been violent, and there are calls for additional demonstrations throughout Iraq,” the statement continued. “U.S. citizens should avoid areas around the July 14th Bridge. Iraqi authorities have closed the International Zone in central Baghdad, with limited exceptions. Do not attempt to come to the Embassy in Baghdad or Consulate General in Erbil in light of heightened security measures.”
The U.S. State Department has issued a level 4 travel advisory for Iraq, stating simply that Americans should not travel there “for any reason.”
IDF warns civilians in Beirut suburbs to evacuate
Israeli Defense Forces warned civilians to evacuate the suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon on Monday amid ongoing strikes against Hezbollah.
“To all residents present in the Southern Suburbs area, specifically in the building designated on the attached map and the adjacent buildings in the Bourj el-Barajneh neighborhood,” the IDF wrote, according to a translation provided by X.
The statement warned that anyone nearby the designated building was “near facilities and interests affiliated with Hezbollah,” going on to warn that the IDF planned to “act against them forcefully in the near future.”
“For your safety and the safety of your family members, you must evacuate this building and those adjacent to it immediately and stay away from them by a distance of at least 300 meters,” the statement continued.
Israeli forces have struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon throughout Sunday and Monday following strikes in Israel by the Iran-backed group.
Iran alleges US, Israel attacked Natanz nuclear facility
Iran’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) accused the U.S. and Israel of hitting Iran’s Natanz nuclear enrichment facility with airstrikes on Monday.
Ambassador Reza Najafi leveled the accusation during a special session of the IAEA’s Board of Governors that was held at the request of Russia.
“Again they attacked Iran’s peaceful safeguarded nuclear facilities yesterday. Their justification that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons is simply a big lie,” Najafi said.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said his office had received no indication of strikes on nuclear facilities “up to now,” adding that his office has received no response from Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities.
“No elevation of radiation levels above the usual background levels has been detected in countries bordering Iran,” Grossi said during the meeting.
Najafi went on to lash out at President Donald Trump, saying he uses “deception and disinformation to invade other countries.”
Trump, he added, “attempts to portray himself as a man of peace and asking for Nobel Peace Prize. Even when they talk about peace, it is a lie. And if they call for diplomacy, it’s about deception.”
NYT hit for headline calling Ayatollah Khamenei ‘hard-line cleric’ who made Iran a regional power
The New York Times was called out on social media over its headline about the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday.
The New York Times’ headline about Khamenei’s death read, “Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Hard-Line Cleric Who Made Iran a Regional Power, Is Dead at 86.” The Times also described the supreme leader as “avuncular and magnanimous” in its obituary.
“With his spectacles, Palestinian kaffiyeh, long robes and silver beard, Ayatollah Khamenei cast himself as a religious scholar as well as a writer and translator of works on Islam. He affected an avuncular and magnanimous aloofness, running the country from a perch above the jousting of daily politics,” the NYT’s obituary read.
The piece was met with pushback on social media from politicians and pundits.
Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Montana, reacted and offered up his own version of the headline.
“NYT got the headline wrong. Let me help: Radical Islamic terrorist who murdered thousands of Americans got what he deserved,” Sheehy wrote.
“There we go,” he added.
Others reacted to the New York Times’ headline by pointing out Khamenei was responsible for the murder of thousands. The Times’ obituary includes reporting on his regime ordering the death of protesters speaking out against the government in January, as well as in 2022.
This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Hanna Panreck.
3 US warplanes shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses, pilots bail out in friendly fire incident: CENTCOM
Three U.S. warplanes were shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses in a friendly fire incident on Sunday, with U.S. Central Command saying all six pilots ejected safely and have been recovered.
CENTCOM says the three F-15E Strike Eagles were flying in support of Operation Epic Fury when they were shot down at roughly 11:00 p.m. on Sunday.
“During active combat—that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones — the U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,” CENTCOM said.
“All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation,” the statement continued.
“The cause of the incident is under investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available,” it added.
Smoke seen rising near US Embassy in Kuwait amid expanded regional conflict with Iran
Smoke was seen rising in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait after Iran and Iranian-backed militias targeted Israel and Arab states with missile attacks.
This comes after a joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran over the weekend that killed the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The U.S. and Israel struck targets in Iran as the war expanded on Monday.
Fire and smoke rose from the vicinity of the embassy compound in Kuwait City and an alarm was heard after the Iranian attack, which came shortly after the U.S. issued a warning to Americans in the area to take cover and for others to stay away.
There were no immediate reports on damage or casualties.
This came amid reports of several U.S. warplanes crashing in Kuwait, according to the country’s defense ministry. All the pilots were safely bailed out. The ministry did not say what caused the crashes, but they happened during an intense period of Iranian fire toward Kuwait.
The pilots had been transported to a hospital in stable condition.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
