Operation Begins: US Forces Strike Iran
At approximately 20:00 UTC on February 27, 2026, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) initiated a coordinated military operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The first wave of strikes targeted Iran's nuclear infrastructure and key military command-and-control nodes in what Pentagon officials described as a 'decisive action to prevent nuclear breakout.'
Opening Salvo: Cruise Missiles and Stealth Bombers
The operation's opening phase combined sea-launched Tomahawk cruise missiles from Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in the Persian Gulf with B-2 Spirit stealth bombers flying from Diego Garcia. The B-2s carried GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators — 30,000-pound bunker-busting bombs designed specifically to reach deeply buried facilities like Iran's Fordow enrichment plant.
Simultaneously, F-35I Adir fighters operating from undisclosed bases suppressed Iranian air defenses using AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles, clearing corridors for follow-on strikes.
Nuclear Sites: Primary Target Set
Intelligence assessments indicated Iran had accumulated over 440 kg of highly enriched uranium — enough for multiple nuclear weapons — with breakout time estimated at under two weeks. The strike package prioritized:
- Natanz — Iran's primary enrichment facility, housing thousands of centrifuges in both above-ground and underground halls
- Fordow — Built inside a mountain near Qom, requiring the heaviest penetrating munitions in the US arsenal
- Isfahan — Nuclear technology and conversion center
- Parchin — Military complex suspected of weaponization research
Iranian Air Defenses Respond
Iran's integrated air defense network, anchored by Russian-supplied S-300PMU-2 batteries and domestically produced Bavar-373 systems, attempted to engage incoming cruise missiles. Initial reports suggest partial success against Tomahawk volleys but limited effectiveness against stealth platforms. The Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) campaign appears to have degraded Iran's radar network within the first hours.
Global Reaction
Oil futures spiked immediately, with Brent crude jumping 15% in after-hours trading. The UN Security Council convened an emergency session. Israel confirmed it was coordinating with US forces, while Russia and China called for 'immediate cessation of hostilities.'
This analysis will be updated as the situation develops. Monitor real-time strikes on our Live Strike Map and track missile defense performance on the Interceptors Tab.