WW3 HAS BEGUN: IRAN UNDER FIRE

Mar 5, 2026

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U.S.-Led Military Campaign Against Iran Escalates After Major Naval and Air Strikes

March 5, 2026

A large-scale U.S.-led military campaign against Iran has intensified this week following a series of coordinated air and naval operations targeting Iran’s military infrastructure. The operation, launched on February 28, marks the largest American military mobilization in the region since the early stages of the Iraq War in 2003.

Strategic Objectives

According to U.S. defense officials, the campaign aims to dismantle Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, destroy unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production facilities, disrupt military command networks, and halt Iran’s nuclear development program.

The operation was reportedly authorized directly by President Donald Trump, with U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) coordinating closely with Israeli forces in a joint effort to reshape the regional security landscape.

Opening Phase: Precision Strikes

In the first 100 hours of the campaign, U.S. and Israeli forces launched a series of precision strikes on key strategic locations in Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, and Karaj. Military sources say the strikes targeted command-and-control centers and facilities linked to Iran’s missile and nuclear programs.

International monitoring groups report that several government and military compounds in Tehran were heavily damaged, significantly disrupting Iran’s senior command structure.

Iranian Warship Sunk by U.S. Submarine

One of the most dramatic developments occurred on March 4, when the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, one of the country’s most advanced warships, was sunk in international waters near Sri Lanka.

According to U.S. defense officials, a nuclear-powered American submarine fired Mark 48 torpedoes at the vessel while it was returning from a naval exercise. If confirmed, this would mark the first time since World War II that a U.S. submarine has sunk an enemy warship using torpedoes in active combat.

Deployment of Advanced Drone Systems

The U.S. military has also deployed a new class of long-endurance attack drones known as LUCAS. These drones can remain airborne for up to six hours and have reportedly been used to target Iran’s coastal radar stations and air defense systems, clearing the way for stealth bomber operations.

Key Weapons Systems Used

The campaign has involved several of the most advanced weapons systems in the U.S. and Israeli arsenals:

B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, used to deliver 2,000-pound bunker-busting bombs against underground nuclear facilities

F-35 and F-15E fighter jets, conducting air superiority missions and suppressing enemy air defenses

Tomahawk cruise missiles, launched from Arleigh Burke-class destroyers such as the USS Thomas Hudner

HIMARS rocket systems, deployed at allied bases to conduct rapid “shoot-and-scoot” strikes against Iranian artillery positions

Casualties and Damage

As of March 5, estimates based on reports from the Pentagon and regional humanitarian organizations suggest heavy losses on both sides.

Iranian casualties are believed to range between 1,000 and 1,500 military personnel, with more than 18 naval vessels and one submarine reportedly destroyed. Civilian casualties have also been reported in urban areas affected by the strikes, with more than 1,000 deaths estimated.

The United States confirmed six American service members assigned to the 103rd Logistics Command were killed in an Iranian drone attack on a base in Kuwait. Unconfirmed reports also suggest that several U.S. F-15E fighter jets may have been shot down, possibly due to friendly fire incidents.

Iran’s Retaliation

Iran has responded by launching multiple ballistic missile strikes targeting U.S. bases and regional airports in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

Tehran has also announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes. The strait normally carries roughly 20% of global oil shipments, and the announcement immediately triggered sharp increases in global energy prices.

International observers warn that continued escalation could have significant economic and geopolitical consequences worldwide.

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U.S. security official resigns — Is the administration in turmoil?

U.S. Counterterrorism Chief Resigns, Citing Opposition to Iran War The head of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, has resigned in protest of the ongoing war with Iran, arguing that Washington was drawn into the conflict under pressure from Israel. In a statement posted on X on March 17, Kent said he could no longer support the war “in good conscience,” adding that Iran does not pose an imminent threat to the United States. “After much reflection, I have decided to step down… I cannot support the war with Iran. It is clear we entered this conflict due to pressure from Israel and powerful lobbying groups,” he wrote. Joe Kent, director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, debates in Oregon during his 2024 congressional campaign. Photo: AP Kent also released a resignation letter addressed to President Donald Trump, accusing Israeli officials and influential figures in U.S. media of promoting what he described as a misinformation campaign that helped push the U.S. toward war. He warned that such narratives created the false perception that Iran was an immediate threat and could be quickly defeated, drawing parallels to the lead-up to the Iraq War. While reaffirming support for Trump’s past foreign policy positions, Kent cautioned that prolonged conflicts in the Middle East have cost American lives and strained national resources. He urged the president to reconsider the current course. “The time to act decisively is now. You have the opportunity to reverse course and chart a new path for the country,” he wrote. The White House and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have not commented on the resignation. U.S. intelligence officials told the Associated Press they were surprised by the move. Kent is the first senior official in the Trump administration to resign over the Iran conflict. As NCTC director, he oversaw efforts to analyze and counter terrorism threats against the United States. Before joining the administration, Kent ran twice for Congress in Washington state and served as a Green Beret with 11 deployments, later working for the CIA. He was confirmed by the Senate in July 2025 in a 52–44 vote, facing strong opposition from Democrats while earning praise from Republicans, including Senator Tom Cotton. His resignation comes amid escalating tensions, with Iran launching repeated missile and drone attacks on U.S. military and civilian targets across the Gulf since late February. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), more than 200 American troops have been wounded in 16 days of fighting, including 10 seriously. Seven U.S. service members have been killed in Iranian attacks, while six others died last week when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq.