ISTANBUL

US forces struck Iran's military command centers, ballistic missile sites and naval assets in the first 48 hours of "Operation Epic Fury," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Monday.

"CENTCOM forces are striking targets to dismantle the Iranian regime's security apparatus, prioritizing locations that pose an imminent threat," the command said on the US social media company X’s platform.

Targets included command and control centers, the headquarters and aerospace force headquarters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), integrated air defense systems, ballistic missile sites, vessels and submarines, anti-ship missile sites and military communications infrastructure, it said.

To carry out the strikes, the US has deployed an extensive arsenal including B-2 stealth bombers and B-1 bombers, F-15, F-16, F-18, F-22 and F-35 fighter jets, A-10 attack jets, EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft, MQ-9 Reaper drones, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers and Patriot and THAAD missile defense systems.

The US-Israeli joint campaign has already yielded significant claimed results. CENTCOM said all 11 Iranian vessels in the Gulf of Oman had been destroyed. US President Donald Trump claimed that 49 Iranian leaders had been killed, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. US B-2 stealth bombers also struck Iran's hardened ballistic missile facilities overnight Sunday.

Meanwhile, at least six US service members have been killed and 18 others seriously wounded since operations began.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Gulf countries and US military assets.