US Centcom: US has struck nearly 2,000 targets in Iran. US has destroyed 17 Iranian ships

US Centcom: US has struck nearly 2,000 targets in Iran. US has destroyed 17 Iranian ships

U.S. Central Command Reports Strikes on Nearly 2,000 Targets in Iran, Destruction of 17 Iranian Ships
As of March 3, 2026, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed the targeting of nearly 2,000 locations across Iran in the first 72 hours of "Operation Epic Fury," a military campaign aimed at dismantling Iran's security infrastructure and neutralizing perceived imminent threats. The operation has also resulted in the destruction of 17 Iranian naval vessels, including the sinking of a Jamaran-class corvette in the Gulf of Oman.

The strikes, conducted using a mix of strategic bombers (B-1, B-2, B-52), stealth fighters (F-22, F-35), and low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones, targeted command-and-control centers, air defense systems, ballistic missile sites, and naval assets. CENTCOM emphasized that nuclear facilities were not among the targets, with officials stating the focus was on locations posing "imminent threats" to regional stability.

The U.S. military's asset deployment includes two aircraft carriers (USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford), guided-missile destroyers firing Tomahawk missiles, and advanced missile defense systems such as Patriot and THAAD interceptors. The operation also involved airborne early warning aircraft (E-3 Sentry, E-2 Hawkeye), maritime patrol aircraft (P-8 Poseidon), and cargo fleets to support logistics and intelligence gathering.

Financial implications of the campaign are significant. The use of B-2 stealth bombers—priced at over $1 billion each—and Tomahawk missiles (costing ~$1.5 million per unit) underscores the high operational costs. Additionally, the destruction of Iranian naval assets, including 11 ships in the Gulf of Oman, could disrupt regional trade routes and escalate defense spending pressures globally. Analysts note that prolonged conflict may strain U.S. defense budgets and impact oil prices, given the strategic importance of the Gulf to global energy markets.

CENTCOM reported six U.S. service members killed, including three F-15s lost in a friendly fire incident in Kuwait. While officials state the operation's goal is not regime change, the scale of strikes highlights the potential for long-term geopolitical and economic ripple effects.