A significant joint operation between the United States and Israel, referred to as 'Operation Epic Fury,' has been launched against Iran, with the stated aim of addressing the regime's long-standing role in global instability. The operation comes amid ongoing protests within Iran and a substantial military buildup by the U.S. in the region.
Carrie Filipetti, Executive Director of the Vandenberg Coalition, stated that the removal of the Ayatollah, while a crucial step, is part of a larger journey towards freedom. She highlighted the extensive human cost attributed to the Iranian regime, including over 1,000 American lives lost in Iranian attacks and thousands of Iranians arrested and subjected to alleged torture. Filipetti also noted the international impact, citing an estimate that Iranian technology is responsible for thousands of civilian deaths in Ukraine.
The operation's strategic objectives, as outlined by Joel Rayburn, TVC Advisory Board Member, include the permanent elimination of Iran's nuclear program, ending its ballistic missile and drone threats, and compelling Iran to cease its sponsorship of terrorist proxies. These objectives are described as vital national security interests shared by the United States, Israel, European nations, and Arab states.
Analysis from various sources suggests that the current actions are on a different scale than previous strikes and are expected to significantly alter the political and security landscape in the Middle East. Elliott Abrams, TVC Chairman, noted that President Trump is attempting to reshape the Middle East and the world, with Iran identified as a primary factor of instability.
Khamenei's perceived strategic errors, including the mismanagement of proxies and the exposure of Iran's military capabilities, are seen by some as having created an opportune moment for weakening or toppling the regime. The U.S. defense industrial base is also under scrutiny, with a bipartisan commission finding it currently unable to meet the demands of great power conflict. There is an urgent call to move the U.S. defense industrial base to a wartime footing.
The operation has resulted in casualties, with at least six American servicemembers reported dead and others critically injured. Despite the risks and the long road ahead, the Vandenberg Coalition believes the journey to freedom for the Iranian people has begun, potentially leading to greater security for the United States and the world.