US-Iran Tensions Escalate Following “Operation Epic Fury”

Military tensions between the United States and Iran have reached a critical point after the Trump administration launched “Operation Epic Fury.” The large-scale air and sea attacks targeting locations within Iran have prompted global speculation regarding a potential US ground invasion.

Significant Casualties Reported

As of Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the impact of the attacks is reported to be substantial. Iran’s Red Crescent has recorded at least 787 deaths, including a bombing incident at a girls’ elementary school in Minab that resulted in the deaths of 165 female students.

In retaliation, Iran launched projectile attacks targeting US assets in the Gulf region, resulting in the deaths of six US soldiers and injuries to 18 others. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed a breach in air defenses contributed to the casualties.

“You have air defenses and a lot of (projectiles) coming in, and we shoot down most of them. But once in a while, there might be one – we call it a ‘squirter’ – that got through, and in this particular case, it hit the tactical operations center.”

Potential for Ground Invasion Remains Open

President Donald Trump has not definitively ruled out a ground invasion of Iran, stating he is keeping all options open. When questioned about deploying infantry troops, Trump responded, “I will never say never. We will do whatever is necessary.”

Legal Debate Over War Powers

The military action has sparked legal debate regarding the authority to wage war without a Congressional declaration. David Schultz, a political science professor from Hamline University, explained to Al Jazeera that Article I of the US Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war, while Article II gives the President authority as commander-in-chief to respond to threats.

“I would argue that if we look at U.S. History, most conflicts have not been officially declared wars, but presidents have dragged us into them.”

Paul Quirk, a professor at the University of British Columbia, added that the duration of the action will determine whether it is considered a war.

“Americans will call it an attack if it’s short. But if it continues for weeks or months, then it becomes war in practice.”

Justification for the Attack

The US government has stated the attack aimed to destroy Iran’s nuclear program. President Trump publicly declared the goal was to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities “once and for all.” He as well called on the Iranian people to “accept over the government” and “seize control of your destiny.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed the attack was preemptive, intended to protect US troops from potential Iranian retaliation for Israeli actions.

“We knew there would be Israeli action… and we knew if we didn’t preemptively go after them before they launched that attack, we would suffer higher casualties.”

Risks of a Potential Land Invasion

Military observers have cautioned about the significant risks associated with a US ground invasion of Iran. Christopher Preble, an analyst at the Stimson Center, emphasized that Iran is considerably larger than Iraq.

“The difference, if you compare Iran to Iraq in 2003, is that Iran is a country that was three to four times larger. That would make the US mission in Iraq look simple by comparison. And of course, Iraq’s mission was not simple.”