Operation Roaring Lion: A Joint US-Israel Campaign Against Iran

On February 28, 2026, Israel and the United States launched a large-scale joint military operation, codenamed “Operation Roaring Lion” by Israel and “Operation Epic Fury” by the US, targeting Iranian terrorist infrastructure. The operation aims to dismantle the Iranian regime’s capabilities and address the existential threat it poses to Israel, the Middle East and global security [1].

Escalation and Retaliation

The joint operation has been met with retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran, dubbed “Operation True Promise IV,” directed towards US forces, Israel, and Arab nations in the region [2]. This has led to a significant escalation of conflict in the Middle East.

Extent of Attacks and Counterstrikes

As of March 16, 2026, Iran launched approximately 227 waves of attacks toward Israel, consisting of over 290 missiles and more than 500 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with roughly half of the ballistic missiles carrying cluster munitions. Further attacks targeted neighboring countries, including:

• UAE: 309 missiles and 1,600 UAVs
• Kuwait: 234 missiles and 422 UAVs
• Qatar: 136 missiles and 59 UAVs
• Saudi Arabia: 25 missiles and 70 UAVs
• Additional attacks toward Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Turkey, Cyprus, and Azerbaijan

From Lebanon, over 379 waves of attacks were recorded toward Israel, with five UAVs launched toward Cyprus.

In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and US military have conducted extensive counterstrikes. The IDF reported striking more than 7,600 targets within Iran, including 2,000 regime-related sites and 4,700 associated with the Iranian missile program, across approximately 4,700 sorties. The US military reported hitting over 6,000 targets, resulting in the destruction of 90 Iranian ships and submarines [3].

Israeli officials claim that 70% of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers and over 150 air defense systems have been destroyed. Around 1,100 targets in Lebanon have also been struck, including missile depots, command centers, and positions of the Radwan Force.

Cyber Warfare Component

The operation has also included a significant cyber warfare component. Iranian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems were reportedly neutralized through coordinated cyber intrusions attributed to Israel’s Unit 8200 and the US National Security Agency [4].

Casualty Figures

The conflict has resulted in significant casualties. Israel has reported 15 deaths, including 13 civilians and two IDF soldiers, with 3,310 wounded, including 436 children. US forces have reported 13 killed and 200 wounded, 10 of whom are in serious condition. Iranian health authorities have reported at least 1,444 killed and 18,551 wounded.

First Strikes in Caspian Sea

In a notable development, the IDF reported carrying out strikes in northern Iran, specifically in the Caspian Sea, for the first time. According to army press secretary Nadav Shoshani, Israel attacked Iran’s shipyard facilities, capable of repairing or building new ships. Over 200 targets across Iran were struck in the past 36 hours.