"Not About Democracy Building": US Vows to Crush Iran’s Navy, Missiles, and Nuclear Assets in Operation Epic Fury

 "Not About Democracy Building": US Vows to Crush Iran’s Navy, Missiles, and Nuclear Assets in Operation Epic Fury

     US-Israel-Iran War Live Updates (March 2, 2026)

UPDATED BY: ASRNEWSNATION 13: 24 PM

EDITED BY: RASHMI RANJAN

The Middle East is on the edge of a total regional war as the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States escalated sharply this Monday.  Following the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli strikes, the situation has transitioned into a high-stakes military campaign dubbed "Operation Epic Fury."

The Mission: Precision over Nation-Building

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified today that Washington's intent is not "democracy building" or a repeat of previous "endless wars." Instead, the mission is laser-focused on three objectives:

1. Destroying Iran’s offensive missile capabilities and production sites.

2. Dismantling the Iranian Navy.

3. Ensuring Tehran never acquires nuclear weapons.

"We didn’t start this war, but we will finish it," Hegseth stated, emphasising that the strikes are surgical, overwhelming, and aimed at removing "existential threats."

Regional Fallout and Escalation

The battlefield has expanded beyond Iran’s borders:

• Militia Involvement: Tehran-backed groups, including Hezbollah, have launched waves of rockets and drones from Lebanon, prompting Israel to mobilise over 100,000 reservists.

• Casualties: Lebanese authorities report 31 deaths in Beirut's southern suburbs.  Meanwhile, the Iranian Red Crescent reports at least 555 fatalities across 131 cities since the campaign began.

• Global Energy Crisis: Global oil markets are reeling after Iranian drones struck Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery, a facility processing over 500,000 barrels per day. The threat to the Strait of Hormuz has sent crude prices soaring.

Diplomatic Deadlock

Despite President Donald Trump signalling a potential opening for dialogue, Tehran has hardened its stance. Senior official Ali Larijani confirmed that Iran "will not negotiate with the United States" under the current conditions of aggression.

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IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has warned of the heightened risk of a radiological incident. While there is no current evidence that nuclear sites have been hit, the presence of operational reactors in a combat zone remains a "serious concern" for international safety.

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