Trump Announces First American Deaths, Devastation of Iran’s Military Infrastructure in Operation Epic Fury Update

President Donald Trump posted a video message on social media Sunday with a detailed update on Operation Epic Fury, the aptly-named joint offensive with Israel against Iran that eliminated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in its early strikes. Described as “one of the largest, most complex, most overwhelming” in history, the remarks came as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported the first American fatalities in the conflict, with three service members killed and five seriously wounded.

Trump mourned the fallen as “true American patriots” and pledged to avenge their deaths while continuing operations until objectives are met, including preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and dismantling its terror proxy networks.

In the wake of Khamenei’s confirmed death, Iranian-Americans and members of the Persian community across the United States erupted in spontaneous celebrations, expressing long-suppressed joy over the potential turning point for their homeland. Videos and reports captured crowds waving pre-1979 Iranian flags, chanting in support of freedom and regime change, and thanking U.S. leadership. Major gatherings occurred in cities like Los Angeles (sometimes nicknamed “Tehrangeles”), Washington D.C., and Chicago, with demonstrators dancing, playing music, and holding signs praising President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Flying over the city of Los Angeles:

"Thank U Trump ❤️ from Iranian People" pic.twitter.com/BOCsTaUNbw

— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) March 1, 2026

In Nashville, Tennessee, local Iranians gathered near Bicentennial Park on Saturday following the announcement, where celebrations included cheering, music, and expressions of relief after decades of regime oppression. FOX 17 Nashville reported on the scene, noting the community’s jubilant response to the joint U.S.-Israel strikes.

The operation, which began in the overnight Friday, involved coordinated U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, missile production sites, naval assets, Revolutionary Guard bases, and senior leadership compounds across multiple cities, including Tehran. Iranian state media conceded Khamenei’s death on March 1, declaring a 40-day mourning period and labeling him a martyr killed in a “joint attack by the criminal United States and the Zionist regime.” A senior Israeli official reported that Khamenei’s body was recovered following the strike on his office compound, with satellite imagery showing extensive damage and black smoke rising from the site.

“Iran’s formerly Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is dead,” Trump confirmed Sunday, calling him a “wretched and vile man” responsible for the deaths of thousands, including Americans.

The president noted that Iran’s military command structure has been decimated, with many officers reportedly seeking to surrender in exchange for immunity.

Key Leaders Eliminated in Strikes

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a graphic detailing senior officials of what it termed the “Iranian Terror Regime” eliminated during the operation, including direct Iranian military leaders and heads of proxy groups. The strikes have decapitated much of Iran’s command structure, with reports confirming at least 40 senior commanders killed, according to IDF statements and U.S. officials. Below is a breakdown presented as lists (based on the IDF infographic and corroborated reports):

Direct Iranian Leadership

Supreme Leader of Iran: Ali Khamenei (killed in initial strike on Tehran compound; body recovered)

Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces: Abdol-Rahim Mousavi (eliminated in Tehran strikes; confirmed by IDF)

Past Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces: Mohammad Hossein Bagheri

Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: Hossein Salami (killed alongside other IRGC leaders)

Commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters (Emergency Command): Gholam Ali Rashid (eliminated in central command strikes)

Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force: Amir Ali Hajizadeh (targeted for role in missile and air defense)

Commander of the Syria-Lebanon Corps of the Quds Force: Hossein Mahdavi (killed; oversaw proxy operations in Levant)

Additional reports indicate other high-level casualties, including Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, IRGC Ground Forces Commander Mohammad Pakpour, and senior adviser Ali Shamkhani. Some sources also mention former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad among the eliminated, though unconfirmed.

The graphic also highlights eliminations within Iran’s “Axis of Terror,” disrupting proxy networks in the region:

Commander of Military Wing: Mohammed Sinwar (Hamas)

Leader of the Organization: Yahya Sinwar (Hamas)

Commander of the Southern Front: Ali Karaki (Hezbollah)

Head of Operations Array and Commander of Radwan Force: Ibrahim Aqil (Hezbollah)

Most Senior Military Commander: Fuad Shukr (Hezbollah)

Leader of the Organization: Hassan Nasrallah (Hezbollah)

Head of the Military Wing: Mohammed Deif (Hamas)

Chief of Staff of Armed Forces: Mohammed Al-Ghamari (Houthis)

Trump went on to detail subsequent strikes early Sunday destroyed nine Iranian naval vessels and their shipbuilding facilities “in a matter of literally minutes,” along with hundreds of other targets, including air defense systems and Revolutionary Guard facilities.

The Iranian regime's reckless use and proliferation of ballistic missiles have been a dangerous threat for decades. Now, at the President's direction, U.S. forces are eliminating the threat. pic.twitter.com/zTsqjwVCMO

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the strikes for eliminating an “existential threat,” confirming Khamenei’s death along with dozens of senior figures. The operation, dubbed “Roaring Lion” by Israel, has drawn support from some U.S. congressional Republicans, who defended its constitutionality and framed it as long-overdue action against decades of Iranian aggression.

Trump’s address highlighted reports of celebrations in Iranian streets following Khamenei’s death, claiming “the voices of the Iranian people could be heard cheering.” Independent verification from BBC News described mixed reactions in Tehran, with some crowds mourning while others expressed relief amid the regime’s crisis.

Iran, meanwhile, has retaliated as it is able with missile barrages targeting Israel, U.S. bases, and allies, causing civilian deaths in Israel and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, spiking global oil prices. Trump urged remaining Iranian forces to lay down arms for immunity and called on “Iranian patriots” to seize the moment for freedom, stating, “America is with you. I made a promise to you and I fulfilled that promise. The rest will be up to you but we’ll be there to help.”

The White House released images of Trump monitoring the operation, and briefings for Congress are underway amid debates over the campaign’s scope and potential for escalation. No end date has been specified, with Trump indicating continued “punishing blows” until all threats are neutralized.

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Christina Botteri is the Executive Editor of The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow her on X at @christinakb.  

 

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

Message from President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/Xhk3ibylSQ

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 1, 2026

PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP:

Over the past 36 hours, the United States and its partners have launched Operation Epic Fury, one of the largest, most complex, most overwhelming military offensives the world has ever seen. Nobody’s seen anything like it.

We have hit hundreds of targets in Iran, including Revolutionary Guard facilities, Iranian air defense systems. Just now, it was announced that we knocked out nine ships plus their naval building, all in a matter of literally minutes.

Iran’s formerly Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is dead. This wretched and vile man had the blood of hundreds and even thousands of Americans on his hands and was responsible for the slaughter of countless thousands of innocent people all across many countries.

Last night, all over Iran, the voices of the Iranian people could be heard cheering and celebrating in the streets when his death was announced.

The entire military command is gone as well, and many of them want to surrender into saving their lives. They want immunity.

They’re calling by the thousands.

Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved. We have very strong objectives. They could have done something two weeks ago, but they just couldn’t get there.

Earlier today, CENTCOM shared the news that three U.S. military service members have been killed in action.

As one nation, we grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives, we pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen. And sadly, there will likely be more.

Before it ends, that’s the way it is. Likely be more, but we’ll do everything possible where that won’t be the case. But America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against basically civilization.

They have waged war against civilization itself. I resolve, and likewise, that of Israel has never been stronger. America is now again the richest, most powerful nation in the world by far. But the only reason we enjoy the quality of life that we do and the freedom and security is we have done things that others are unable to do. But it’s because of warriors who are willing to lay down their lives to do battle with our enemies. And they do battle better than anybody. An Iranian regime armed with long range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a dire threat to every American. We cannot allow a nation that raises terrorist armies to possess such weapons would allow them to extort the world to their evil will. Not going to let it happen. We’re not happening to us and we’re not going to let it happen to others. The United States has the strongest military the world has ever seen. I rebuilt our military in my first term.

There’s never been a military like we possess.

And frankly, there’s nobody even close. But we are now using that military for good. We want to have it for good purpose.

We’re undertaking this massive operation not merely to ensure security for our own time and place but for our children and their children just as our ancestors have done for us many, many years ago.

This is the duty and the burden of a free people.

These actions are right and they are necessary to ensure that Americans will never have to face a radical bloodthirsty terrorist regime armed with nuclear weapons and lots of threats.

For almost 50 years, these wicked extremists have been attacking the United States while chanting the slogan death to America or death to Israel or both. They are the world’s number one state sponsor of terror. We are the world’s greatest and most powerful nation so we can do something about what they do. These intolerable threats will not continue any longer.

I once again urge the Revolutionary Guard, the Iranian military police to lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death. It will be certain death.

Won’t be pretty.

I call upon all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment, to be brave, be bold, be heroic and take back your country. America is with you. I made a promise to you and I fulfilled that promise. The rest will be up to you but we’ll be there to help. Thank you. God bless you to our incredible warriors and God bless the United States of America. Thank you.

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