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🇮🇷 Tehran · Operation Epic Fury

Operation Epic Fury

Day 32. The U.S. and Israel are taking apart Iran's military machine at a pace Tehran cannot sustain. The Wall Street Journal confirmed U.S. forces struck a large ammunition depot in Isfahan with 2,000-pound bunker-buster bombs and a high volume of penetrator munitions. The Israeli Air Force completed multiple waves of overnight attacks in Tehran, hitting a ballistic missile warhead facility, an R&D site for missile components, and a production center for anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems.

Additional strikes hammered Shiraz, Bushehr, Hamadan province, and the Likak radar site in southwestern Iran, now hit at least 10 times. PM Netanyahu said Israel knocked out roughly 70% of Iran's steel capacity and that over half of war objectives have been achieved. The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) confirmed “enormous degradation of physical facilities” at Natanz, but Director Grossi warned that 400 kg of 60% enriched uranium remains unaccounted for. The bombs can destroy buildings. They can't destroy knowledge.

9 B-1B Lancers at RAF Fairford staging for Iran strikes

The GBU-72 Advanced 5K Penetrator (5,000 lbs) made its combat debut in this war, hitting hardened coastal missile sites along the Hormuz coast. B-1B Lancers and B-52s are using salvos of 2,000-lb JDAMs to collapse tunnel entrances and ventilation shafts.

IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) commanders continue falling. Roughly 40 senior officials have been eliminated since February 28. General Jalaluddin Toslvand of the IRGC Air Force, the latest confirmed. IRGC Navy commander Ali Reza Tangsiri, who ran the Hormuz blockade, was killed March 26. Iran confirmed his death yesterday (March 30). Ahmad Vahidi is now running what's left of the IRGC. Iran International reports 4,700+ Iranian security forces killed since the war began.

IRGC chief Vahidi responded that the economic pressure is exactly why they need to fight. Iran has maintained a nationwide internet blackout for over 30 days, cutting off 99.9% of its population. In Shiraz, soldiers were reportedly in tears as ambulances swarmed the Airborne and Armored Zone. 3.2 million Iranians have been displaced from Tehran and major cities. IRGC personnel are deserting their posts in significant numbers.

Sec. Hegseth and Gen. Caine held a press conference on Operation Epic Fury this morning (March 31), and the picture they painted is one of total air dominance.

"In the past 30 days, we've hit over 11,000 targets. With growing air superiority, we've also launched the first B-52 overland missions."

— Gen. Dan Caine · Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

B-52s are now flying directly over Iranian territory. No more cruise missiles needed. The U.S. military has destroyed over 150 Iranian naval vessels, rendering the Navy combat ineffective. Iran's entire ballistic missile production capacity has been functionally destroyed. Caine said the coming days will be decisive.

Hegseth said 200 dynamic targets were hit last night. Dynamic targets are moving assets called in while aircraft are already in the air, a sign of how refined U.S. intelligence has become inside Iran. He confirmed the video Trump posted last night showed the Isfahan ammo depot struck by U.S. bombers. Trump says the war is two weeks ahead of schedule.

On diplomacy, Hegseth said talks with Iran are real, ongoing, and gaining strength. Trump is willing to make a deal, and the terms are known to Tehran. If Iran isn't willing, the War Department will continue with even more intensity. Hegseth added bluntly: the “new Iran regime should be wiser than the last.”

Hegseth also addressed adversaries feeding intelligence to Iran. On Russia and China: “We know exactly what they're doing, what they are or are not doing. We don't have to air publicly what all of that is, but where necessary, we're addressing it, we're mitigating it, and or we're confronting it head on.”

The Pentagon is preparing for a potential raid on Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal, though no U.S. ground troops have entered Iranian territory yet. Hegseth, who was recently at a CENTCOM base in the region, echoed Secretary Rubio's assessment that this war will be measured in “weeks, not months.”

 

🇺🇸 Washington · The Message

Trump to Allies: “Go Get Your Own Oil”

Trump message to allies on Strait of Hormuz

President Trump sent a direct message to allied nations struggling with energy disruptions from the Strait of Hormuz, singling out the United Kingdom for refusing to participate in the strikes on Iran.

"Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT. You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us."

— President Trump

Trump said Iran has been “essentially decimated” and that the hard part is done. The message amounts to a public ultimatum to European allies who blocked U.S. military access during the campaign: the U.S. did the fighting, now deal with the consequences yourselves.

 

🇪🇺 Europe · The Fracture

NATO Allies Block U.S. Military Access

Italy blocks U.S. military flights to Sicily

Three NATO allies broke ranks during the Iran campaign. Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto denied permission for U.S. military aircraft to use Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily for a stopover en route to the Middle East. France blocked planes loaded with military supplies for Israel from flying over French territory. Spain restricted its airspace to U.S. military operations.

Secretary Rubio questioned the alliance: "If NATO is just about us defending Europe if they're attacked, but them denying us basing rights when we need them, then that's not a very good arrangement." Senator Lindsey Graham urged Trump not to let Spain's decision go unanswered. The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2817 condemning Iran's retaliatory attacks on Gulf states, passing 13-0 with China and Russia abstaining.

Turkey shot down a fourth Iranian ballistic missile that entered Turkish airspace, intercepted by NATO air defenses in the eastern Mediterranean.

Israel halted all new defense purchases from France, ordered by Defense Minister Katz and MoD Director Amir Baram, citing France's "hostile line" toward Israel. Only existing contracts will be honored.

 

🌊 The Gulf · Iran's Boomerang

Iran's Retaliation Hits the Gulf and Israel

Iran launched at least 8 ballistic missiles at Israel since midnight, including one carrying a cluster warhead that scattered bomblets across Bnei Brak, Ramat Gan, and Petah Tikva. Six people lightly injured today. At least 10 blasts were heard over Jerusalem. Total Israeli dead from Iranian missile attacks since the war began: 16. Hegseth said the last 24 hours saw the lowest number of enemy missiles and drones fired by Iran since the war began. Their supply is dwindling.

Iran's neighbors are absorbing the worst of it. The Jordanian military confirmed 4 missiles targeted Jordan in the past 24 hours, all intercepted. UAE air defenses shot down 8 ballistic missiles, 4 cruise missiles, and 36 UAVs in a single day. Dubai reported shrapnel on homes, four people injured. A tanker was struck 31 nautical miles northwest of Dubai, causing an onboard fire. The Kuwait-flagged Al Salmi crude oil tanker sustained damage at Dubai port. 26 people have been killed across Gulf states since Iran started retaliating.

Damage to Kuwait-flagged Al Salmi tanker at Dubai port

The Strait of Hormuz is partially blocked. Iran declared it closed to vessels going to or from U.S., Israeli, and allied ports on March 27 and set up a “toll booth”, granting selective passage to ships from China, Russia, India, Iraq, and others for a fee. Ship traffic dropped 70% initially. The strait normally carries 20% of the world’s daily oil supply. Brent crude surged roughly 55% in March to around $116 per barrel, the biggest monthly gain since the contract's inception in 1988. U.S. national average gasoline crossed $4 per gallon. Korean Air entered emergency management mode, the third South Korean airline forced into crisis footing.

AP News reported officials from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain have privately conveyed they "do not want the military operation to end until there are significant changes in the Iranian leadership." Netanyahu confirmed: Iran's attacks on Gulf states are "actually boomeranging" because Gulf countries are now encouraging the U.S. to accelerate.

"We are forming alliances with Arab countries that are talking about fighting alongside us."

— PM Netanyahu

Netanyahu said he previously held secret conversations with Arab leaders, warning them that Iran would conquer them and topple their kingdoms the moment it was able to. "Back then, they didn't really internalize this. Today, they understand."

 

🇱🇧 Lebanon · The Ground War

IDF Pushes Toward Litani

Defense Minister Katz announces IDF security zone in Lebanon

Hezbollah entered this war on March 2, hours after Khamenei was killed. It has cost them. The IDF estimates roughly 900 Hezbollah fighters killed in Lebanon so far. The Lebanese Health Ministry puts total dead at 1,247 since March 2, with roughly 1 million displaced, that's 20% of Lebanon's population. Hezbollah intelligence chief Hussein Makled was eliminated in Beirut strikes this week. Ibrahim Mohammad Rakin (Hajj Hamza), deputy commander of Unit 1800, was eliminated with two operatives.

Four IDF soldiers were killed and three wounded in clashes in southern Lebanon today, including Sgt. Gilad Harel, 21, of Maccabim Re'ot. The IDF launched fresh strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut and Dahieh following evacuation warnings.

"The IDF will be positioned in a security area inside Lebanon, on the defense line against anti-tank missiles, and will have security control over the entire area up to the Litani River."

— Defense Minister Israel Katz

Katz warned the 600,000 residents of southern Lebanon who evacuated will not return until northern Israel's security is guaranteed. All homes in border villages will be destroyed. A senior Lebanese official told MTV that Israel has shut down negotiations, and Israeli forces could secure all territory south of the Litani within 2 to 3 weeks.

The Lebanese government told the UN it classifies Hezbollah's military wing as illegal and has banned its military and security operations. Saudi Arabia pushed Beirut to expel Iran's ambassador. The IDF confirmed Hezbollah has taken control of the Christian village of Qawzah and is launching attacks from civilian areas including churches.

Givati Brigade troops identified two Hezbollah cells and called in artillery strikes, eliminating at least six fighters within minutes. IDF Humvees are operating in parts of Lebanon rather than armored vehicles. A Hezbollah operative was captured while surveilling Israeli forces. Israel says once the Air Force finishes its Iran mission, Lebanon is getting the full treatment.

 

Bottom Line

Rubio says “weeks, not months.” The Pentagon is prepping Kharg Island raids. Iran's own president says the economy collapses in three weeks. Gulf states are privately cheering on the operation while Iran's missiles land on their soil. Three NATO allies are blocking U.S. access while Russia feeds Iran warship coordinates. And somewhere in Iran, 400 kg of 60% enriched uranium is unaccounted for.

 
 

Stories You May Have Missed

U.S. / Venezuela

Rubio to Meet Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado at 10 a.m. ET tomorrow (April 1). The Trump administration has been systematically checking off authoritarian regimes. Venezuela and Iran's leadership are already crossed off. Cuba and Spain are listed next.

Kuwait / Iran

Kuwaiti Civilians Take Aim at Passing Iranian Drone

Video shows Kuwaiti civilians shooting at a low-flying Iranian drone passing over their area. The clip went viral with nearly 70,000 views. Iran's aerial attacks are now directly threatening Gulf populations far from any battlefield. The response has gone from diplomatic protests to civilians grabbing weapons.

Horn of Africa / U.S.

Houthis Track U.S. Troop Buildup in East Africa

Hezbollah-linked Lebanese paper al-Akhbar reports Houthis are monitoring U.S. troop movements in the Horn of Africa, signaling a possible Red Sea operation. 3,600 U.S. forces have deployed to Eritrea and Djibouti, including the 82nd Airborne at Camp Lemonnier. The Houthis launched their first ballistic missiles at Israel on March 28, both intercepted. Israel has said once it finishes Iran, the Houthis are next.

 
 
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