On Saturday morning, the United States and Israel launched what’s being called Operation Epic Fury in Iran.
The goal of the mission, according to US Central Command, is to “dismantle the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritizing locations that posed an imminent threat. Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields.”
President Donald Trump announced the commencement of Operation Epic Fury yesterday morning. Later Saturday, the President announced that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei was killed during the initial phase of the military operation.
In a Truth Social post he wrote, “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS.”
Trump says in that same post that military operations will continue throughout this week or “as long as necessary to achieve our objection of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!”
On Sunday morning, US Central Command announced that three US service members had been killed as part of Operation Epic Fury. Five more service members have been seriously wounded. Names of the dead and injured will not be released until 24 hours after their next-of-kin are notified, CENTCOM says.
At home, the decision to launch Operation Epic Fury is drawing reaction from Schuylkill County’s representative in Congress and those who are running this year to unseat him.
In a social media post Saturday, US Rep. Dan Meuser (PA-9) writes, “We stand at the threshold of a historic turning point. For nearly five decades, Iran has pursued a dangerous agenda of Shia Islamic revolution, anti-Western hostility, and nuclear armament, inflicting harm across the region and beyond. Now, through resolute action by the United States and Israel, we are drawing a firm line, offering the Iranian people and the broader Middle East a genuine opportunity for freedom, stability, and peace.”
He also called upon Democrats in Congress to authorize funding for the Dept. of Homeland Security.
“Lastly, Let’s pray for our brave men and women carrying out this operation,” he says.
It’s an election year for Meuser and his likely opponents also responded to the military strikes on Iran.
Democrat challenger Rachel Wallace, a Schuylkill County native, questioned why Trump didn’t see Congressional approval for the strikes and why Meuser isn’t raising any objections.
She posted on her social media accounts Saturday, “Why are we bombing Iran? Where is Congress? What is Dan Meuser doing for us if not demanding Congressional oversight? No one wants this war.”
Wallace’s opponent in the Democrat Primary this year, Jenn Brothers, released a statement to Coal Region Canary in which she says military strikes like the ones carried out this weekend should be the last resort.
“Strikes like this often strengthen hardliners, unite domestic opposition, and escalate cycles of retaliation rather than deter conflict,” Brothers says. “War ultimately ends when real leaders talk and come to an agreement. Casualties are often avoidable if diplomacy is used first.”
Brothers adds, “I support our men and women in uniform and am grateful for their service and sacrifice. I support defending our people and allies when necessary, but war must always be the last resort.”
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