Timeline — Day by Day
Operation Epic Fury Begins — Supreme Leader Khamenei Killed
US and Israel launch 900 strikes in 12 hours. Khamenei and dozens of officials killed. Iran retaliates with hundreds of missiles across the region.
Dubai Airport Hit as Iran Strikes Back
Iranian drones damage Dubai International Airport. Trump signals openness to Venezuela-style outcome. Missile fire at Israel continues.
Hezbollah Enters the War
Hezbollah breaks ceasefire, launches missiles into Israel. Drone strikes British RAF base in Cyprus. Israel escalates strikes to southern Beirut.
Israel Strikes Assembly of Experts Meeting Site
Israeli strikes destroy building where Iran's Assembly of Experts was to meet. Lebanon evacuations begin. Hezbollah fires 100+ rockets.
Congress Backs Trump's War
Senate and House reject war powers resolutions. Hegseth says US "just getting started." Trump orders weapons production quadrupled.
Trump Demands Role in Choosing Iran's Next Leader
Trump declares Mojtaba Khamenei "unacceptable" and demands unconditional surrender. Allies fear weapons shortages.
Hotel Bombings and a Growing Refugee Crisis
Israel bombs Beirut hotel targeting Quds Force commanders. Erbil hotel attacked. UK pledges military support to Saudi Arabia. 217 killed in Lebanon.
One Week: 3,000+ Targets, $3.7 Billion, 1,332 Dead
CENTCOM reveals scale: 3,000+ targets hit, 43 warships destroyed. First US service members' caskets arrive home. Brent crude up 27% in one week.
Oil Infrastructure Targeted for First Time
US and Israel strike Iranian oil depots. Shahran oil depot set ablaze. First IDF soldiers killed in Lebanon. Bahrain desalination plant hit.
Mojtaba Khamenei Named New Supreme Leader
Assembly of Experts appoints Khamenei's son despite Trump's objections. 7th US service member dies. New leader immediately rejects de-escalation.
$11.3 Billion Spent, Trump Searches for Endgame
Pentagon reveals first six days cost $11.3 billion. Trump searching for exit strategy. IEA calls war "greatest energy security threat in history."
War of Necessity — Oil Trade Paralyzed
15,000+ targets struck. Oil trade paralyzed. US citizens told to leave Iraq after embassy attacks. Gas prices breaking records worldwide.
Media Crackdown and Diplomatic Deadlock
Trump threatens media outlets over war coverage. Counterterrorism official resigns. Europe rejects Hormuz involvement.
US Strikes Kharg Island — Iran's Oil Lifeline
US bombs Iran's main oil export hub. Trump says "totally demolished." 16 mine-laying vessels destroyed near vital shipping route.
Isfahan Struck; Majority of Americans Oppose War
15 killed in Isfahan factory strike. Quinnipiac: 53% oppose war, 75% oppose ground troops. Israel critically low on interceptors. 10,000 homes destroyed.
Diplomatic Deadlock Deepens
Both sides reject negotiations. Iran demands end to strikes before any talks. Trump says terms "not good enough." Humanitarian crisis worsens.
US Refueling Plane Crashes in Iraq
Military logistics strained as refueling plane goes down. Approaching the midpoint of White House's 4-6 week estimate.
Larijani Killed; Israel Invades Lebanon
Ali Larijani — Iran's de facto leader — assassinated. Basij militia chief also killed. Israel launches ground invasion of southern Lebanon.
Civilian Toll Mounts — Beauty Salon Strike Kills Three
Three Palestinian women killed by Iranian missile shrapnel in West Bank beauty salon. Thai worker killed in Israel. War's human cost laid bare.
Israel Strikes South Pars; Pentagon Requests $200 Billion
Israel unilaterally strikes world's largest gas field. Qatar LNG crippled. Iran hits Haifa refinery. F-35 damaged by suspected Iranian fire.
Iran Warns of "Zero Restraint" as Nowruz Begins Under Bombardment
Iran threatens unlimited retaliation. Trump calls NATO "cowards." Netanyahu signals ground phase in Iran. Switzerland halts US arms. Global energy crisis cascades.
Trump Hints at 'Winding Down' as Iran Strikes Diego Garcia
Iran fires ballistic missiles at US-UK base in Indian Ocean. Trump hints at winding down but deploys 2,500 more Marines. Brent crude at $112. Saudi expels Iranian diplomats. 70th wave of Iranian attacks.
48-Hour Ultimatum — Trump Threatens to Obliterate Iran's Power Grid
Trump gives Iran 48 hours to reopen Strait of Hormuz or face power plant strikes. Iran hits near Dimona nuclear site, wounding 100+. Israel's air defense fails to stop 2 strikes. Both sides target nuclear infrastructure.
Trump Blinks: Ultimatum Extended 5 Days Amid 'Very Good' Iran Talks
Trump extends Hormuz ultimatum by 5 days, halts US strikes on Iran's energy sites, claims 'very good and productive conversations' with Iran. Iranian state TV declares 'US president backs down.' Tehran rocked by explosions. Iran fires missiles and drones at Bahrain. Brent at $112.
US Sends 15-Point Peace Plan to Iran as Bushehr Nuclear Plant Hit
US sends Iran a 15-point peace plan via Pakistan. Projectile strikes Bushehr nuclear plant grounds. Trump approves 1,000+ more troops. Lebanon expels Iran's ambassador. Oil whiplash: crashed 11% to $99.94, now recovering.
Iran Dismisses Trump's Peace Claims as Strikes Kill 12 in Tehran
Trump declared "war has been won" and claimed talks underway — but Tehran's military forcefully dismissed any negotiations. Pakistan delivered US 15-point plan. Israeli strikes on Tehran kill 12. Iran rejected plan, issued 5-point counterproposal. 82nd Airborne deploying. Oil whipsawed 6% to $94 on peace hopes, rebounded to $100 after rejection.
Israel Kills Hormuz Blockade Mastermind as Iran Rejects US Peace Plan
Israel claims to have killed IRGC Navy commander Alireza Tangsiri in Bandar Abbas — the architect of the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Iran formally rejected the US 15-point peace plan. Trump extended his energy infrastructure deadline by 10 days. Brent crude surged to ~$108/barrel.
Trump Extends Hormuz Deadline to April 6 as Iran Calls Peace Plan 'One-Sided'
Iranian missile struck Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, wounding 10 troops. Israel launched strikes on two nuclear facilities. Iran's FM vowed "heavy" retaliation. Brent crude closed at $112.57/barrel — highest since 2022.
Iran's "Heavy Price" Retaliation After Nuclear Facility Strikes
Iran prepares response after Israel struck Yazd and Arak nuclear sites yesterday. Trump's April 6 Hormuz deadline nine days away. 300+ US troops wounded. Fifth week begins. Coverage will be updated throughout the day.