White House reveals Operation Epic Fury Mission ahead of Trump speech: 4 major points against Iran revealed
As President Donald Trump prepares to address the nation tonight at 9 PM ET (6:30 AM IST Thursday), the White House has posted a stark graphic on X with four words that define America’s military posture in the Middle East: “Clear objectives since day one.” Here is everything you need to know about Operation Epic Fury — what it is, what it aims to achieve, and why the world is watching.
What is Operation Epic Fury?
Operation Epic Fury is a major US military campaign launched under President Trump’s orders, executed with the stated goal of crushing Iran’s ability to threaten the United States and the free world. The White House describes it as being carried out with “overwhelming power, lethal precision, and unbreakable resolve.”
The operation began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched a surprise attack with airstrikes on sites and cities across Iran, assassinating Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several other Iranian officials.  It has since escalated into a sustained air and naval campaign targeting Iran’s military infrastructure across the country.
The four objectives — as posted by the White House
The White House’s official X account posted the mission graphic with a simple caption: “Clear objectives since day one.” The four stated goals of Operation Epic Fury are:
1. Destroy Iran’s missile arsenal
The primary objective is the complete destruction of Iran’s ballistic missile stockpiles and, critically, the production facilities that build them. The White House has described this as obliterating Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal and production capability so that the country cannot reconstitute its strike capabilities after the war ends.
2. Annihilate their navy
Vice President Vance said last week: “The Iranian conventional military is effectively destroyed. They don’t have a navy. They don’t have the ability to hit us like they could have even a few weeks ago.” Neutralising Iran’s naval presence in the Persian Gulf is central to the US strategy of eventually reopening the Strait of Hormuz — through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply ordinarily passes.
3. Destroy terrorist proxies
A core objective is ensuring Iran’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilise the region or the free world and attack US armed forces. This includes targeting command and control infrastructure, weapons supply chains, and financing networks that link Tehran to groups across Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Gaza.
4. Ensure Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon
Defence Secretary Hegseth has said: “The most important American national security objective that exists for any administration at any time is you don’t want the worst people in the world to have a nuclear weapon. That’s why the President is doing this.”
How far along is the operation?
Trump told CBS News on Tuesday that Operation Epic Fury was “two weeks ahead of schedule,” saying “not much” more has to happen before declaring victory and pointing to regime change as a “big factor.” He told reporters from the Oval Office: “We’ll be leaving very soon. I would say within two weeks, maybe two weeks, maybe three. We’re hitting them very hard.”
What has it cost the world so far?
The operation has had a severe knock-on effect on the global economy. Attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz have effectively closed the route, sending oil prices rocketing above $100 per barrel, up from around $65 before the war, with ordinary buyers feeling the increases at pumps across the US, Europe and parts of Africa. An estimated 20,000 seafarers remain stranded on ships in the active war zone.
What to expect tonight
Trump is expected to reiterate that Operation Epic Fury will conclude in two to three weeks and say the military is meeting or exceeding all operational benchmarks. He is also expected to criticise NATO allies for failing to support the campaign.
For Indian markets, Trump’s address at 6:30 AM IST on Thursday is the single biggest geopolitical event to watch before Dalal Street opens. Any signal of a US withdrawal timeline or a path to reopening the Strait of Hormuz could sharply move crude oil prices, the rupee, and index futures at the opening bell.
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