US-Iran War 2026: Operation Epic Fury, the Strait of Hormuz Crisis, and the Limits of American Air Power

In February 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes against Iran under Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion, triggering a retaliatory response from Iran that expanded the conflict to seven countries. The two-month campaign resulted in a significant disruption to the global oil market and substantial losses for the US military. Analysts concluded that the US failed to achieve its strategic objectives and weakened Iran's rebuilding capacity.