February 28, 2026 · operation start; September 14 report
U.S.–Israel Operation Epic Fury begins
The Lead Inspector General records the linked U.S.–Israel operation’s start; military action is distinct from durable threat elimination or peace.
Before the action
The United States had pursued maximum pressure over nuclear, missile, proxy and maritime threats. ODNI’s 2026 assessment separately describes serious damage from June 2025 strikes, intended rebuilding and denied inspection access; those findings distinguish infrastructure damage from permanent elimination of nuclear capability. I1I5
What the U.S. did
The Lead Inspector General’s September report records the start of the linked U.S.–Israel Operation Epic Fury on February 28. The report supplies an official oversight account published after the operation began, documenting the connection between U.S. and Israeli military activity. I6
What the record establishes
The oversight report confirms the military operation in the official record and describes subsequent ceasefire, memorandum and renewed-conflict developments. These later changes are relevant to durability, while the existence of the operation alone does not establish lasting protection, nonproliferation or regional stability. I6
Costs, durability & open questions
Military action, infrastructure damage and weakened capabilities are not interchangeable with permanent threat removal or democratic transition. The reviewed sources leave durability, restored navigation and net benefit unresolved, while subsequent official cost estimates and additional strikes document continuing burdens and military activity. I5I6I7I8
One shared event, shown under Iran and Israel. It is not counted twice.
Read the official evidence 5 sources
Presidential directive · Stated threats, maximum-pressure instructions and the objective of reducing Iranian oil exports to zero.
Intelligence assessment · Printed page 18: Iranian nuclear infrastructure damage, rebuilding intent and denied inspection access. Exact publication day not established in this review.
Official oversight report · Printed pages 4–8 and 16–18, and Table 4. April–June reporting period with later developments; casualty periods and operational coverage require care.
Presidential congressional notification · Notification describing September 1 strikes and the President’s stated rationale.
Official cost estimate · Summary, estimate through August 1, uncertainty, scope exclusions and warnings against adding overlapping categories.