US launches 'Epic Fury' on Iran; Khamenei killed

You woke up to a story that will be studied in citizenship and history classes. Late on 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched major air strikes across Iran. Iranian state outlets and multiple international newsrooms now report that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. We’ll walk through what happened, how the rules work, and what to watch next. (apnews.com)

The Pentagon is calling the campaign Operation Epic Fury. President Donald Trump framed the objective as preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and opening a path to political change. The opening wave used cruise missiles and aircraft to hit leadership sites and air defences. (washingtonpost.com)

Iran fired back with missiles and drones aimed at Israel and US facilities, and-according to early reports-targets in Gulf states including Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar. Officials in Washington and Tel Aviv say many incoming weapons were intercepted, but civilian deaths have been reported inside Iran and at least one fatality in Israel. Details are still being verified. (apnews.com)

In Tehran, authorities announced a temporary leadership arrangement while the Assembly of Experts moves to select a new Supreme Leader. State media declared days of mourning and vowed retaliation, signalling a volatile period ahead. (apnews.com)

Before we go further, a quick civics refresher. Under US law, presidents are meant to introduce forces into hostilities only with a declaration of war, specific congressional authorisation, or to respond to a sudden attack. That framework lives in the War Powers Resolution (1973), which also requires a report to Congress within 48 hours and sets clocks that push the White House to seek approval if fighting continues. (law.cornell.edu)

Trump did not seek a vote in Congress before launching the strikes. House Democratic leaders say they will force a War Powers vote when lawmakers return, while Republicans are divided between calls for oversight and support for the operation. Former Vice‑President Kamala Harris has called it a “war of choice”. (jeffries.house.gov)

International law matters here too. The UN Charter bans the use of force except in self‑defence or when the Security Council authorises it. The UN Secretary‑General has urged an immediate ceasefire and said the current attacks violate international law, while also condemning Iran’s retaliatory strikes. (main.un.org)

This isn’t contained to a single night of bombing. Airspace closures and disrupted flights have stranded travellers, oil markets are on edge, and European leaders are pressing for diplomacy even as they criticise Iran’s retaliation. What this means: expect rolling disruption to shipping and aviation until there is a verified pause. (washingtonpost.com)

Can air power alone force regime change? Research and real‑time analysis say that’s unlikely. Air campaigns can destroy hardware and rattle elites, but they struggle to control events on the ground. Analysts at CSIS, New Lines Institute and FPRI caution that removing a leader may wound Iran’s system without dissolving the IRGC networks that keep it running. (csis.org)

Two quick glossary notes for class discussion. A “decapitation strike” targets a state’s leadership to paralyse command and control; “regime change” means replacing one governing system with another, often through outside force. These labels carry decades of history and are contested in international law. (en.wikipedia.org)

Media literacy moment. In fast‑moving conflicts, videos and casualty figures change as verification catches up. Good habits: pause before sharing, look for at least two named outlets, and treat numbers as provisional until humanitarian agencies or multiple reporters converge. Open‑source guides from First Draft and fact‑checkers explain techniques such as reverse‑image search, geolocation and chronolocation if you want to teach this in class. (firstdraftnews.org)

For educators, anchor learners in timelines and maps. Start with a simple chronology from Friday night into Saturday morning, then layer the civics context: who authorises force in the US system, what the UN Charter allows, and which regional actors are being drawn in. Encourage students to distinguish between stated aims (stop a nuclear weapons programme) and likely constraints (no ground troops, allied reservations, and legal limits).

A quick timeline snapshot for context. After weeks of warnings and a visible US military build‑up, the strikes began on 28 February. Trump monitored events from Florida while senior officials, including Vice‑President JD Vance and DNI Tulsi Gabbard, were in the White House Situation Room on a secure line. (washingtonpost.com)

What to watch next. In Washington, a House vote on war powers is expected when Congress reconvenes. At the UN, more meetings are likely as the Secretary‑General presses for de‑escalation. In Iran, the Assembly of Experts’ moves will shape whether this becomes a prolonged regional conflict or pauses for talks. We’ll keep updating as facts settle. (jeffries.house.gov)