White House Declares Campaign ‘Ahead of Schedule’ — But Iran Isn’t Ready to Surrender
Day 26 of Operation Epic Fury is shaping up to be one of the most consequential yet. The White House said Wednesday that the U.S. military campaign against Iran is running ahead of the expected 4-to-6-week timeline and is “very close” to meeting its core objectives — even as Tehran sent conflicting signals about whether it’s willing to negotiate an end to the conflict.
House Speaker Mike Johnson went even further, suggesting the campaign is entering its “final phase.” Asked whether the United States was technically at war, Johnson replied: “We’re wrapping up.”
But on the other side, Iran is digging in. And the mixed messages coming out of Tehran suggest a regime caught between defiance and desperation.
290 U.S. Troops Wounded, 13 Killed — A-10 Warthogs Strike Iranian Navy
U.S. Central Command confirmed Wednesday that approximately 290 American service members have been injured during Operation Epic Fury since it launched on February 28. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins told Fox News that “the vast majority of these injuries have been minor, and more than 255 troops have already returned to duty.”
Thirteen U.S. service members have been killed in the operation so far. Six were killed in an Iranian drone attack in Kuwait on March 1. Another died from injuries sustained during an Iranian attack on troops in Saudi Arabia the same day. Six more were killed on March 12 when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during a combat mission.
In a significant military development, CENTCOM revealed that A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft — the legendary “Warthogs” — have been used to strike Iranian naval vessels during the operation. The deployment of these tank-killing ground attack planes against naval targets underscores the intensity and unconventional nature of the campaign.
CENTCOM also announced that over 140 Iranian vessels have been damaged or destroyed, and more than 9,000 combat flights have been conducted as part of Epic Fury — a staggering number for a campaign not yet a month old.
Iran Rejects Trump’s Ceasefire — Then Issues 5 Conditions of Its Own
The diplomatic picture is muddied by contradiction. Iranian state media said Wednesday that Tehran is rejecting President Trump’s ceasefire proposal outright. But Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state media that the American proposal “is being reviewed by top authorities” — suggesting Iran hasn’t fully slammed the door.
Araghchi also said that an exchange of messages between the two countries via Pakistani intermediaries “does not mean negotiations with the U.S.” — a fine distinction that analysts say is meant to preserve face domestically while leaving a diplomatic channel open.
Iran then publicized its own five-point counterproposal, which includes:
- A complete halt to “aggression and assassinations” by the enemy
- Concrete mechanisms to ensure the war is not reimposed on Iran
- Guaranteed payment of war damages and reparations
- The conclusion of the war across all fronts and for all resistance groups in the region
- Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz must be recognized
That last point — Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz — is almost certainly a nonstarter for Washington. The strait handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply. President Trump himself floated the idea earlier this week that it could be “controlled jointly by me and the ayatollah,” but even that proposal would fall far short of what Iran is demanding.
82nd Airborne Deploying — Thousands More Boots Heading to the Middle East
The Pentagon is preparing to send elements of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, according to two defense sources. Approximately 1,500 additional troops and key staff are being deployed, a move that signals the U.S. may be preparing for a potential ground component — or at least wants Iran to think so.
Iran has already warned that it would mine the Persian Gulf if the U.S. appears to be on the verge of landing ground troops. The threat adds another layer of danger to an already volatile maritime environment.
President Trump said Wednesday that several members of his administration — including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — are involved in backchannel communications with Iran.
Israel Races to Destroy Iran’s Weapons Before a Deal Is Struck
Adding another dimension to an already complex conflict, Israeli officials are reportedly concerned that the war might end before they can fully dismantle Iran’s weapons programs. Two senior Israeli officials told the New York Times that Israel plans to ramp up its attacks in the coming days.
The Israeli military issued its sixth missile alert in 12 hours on Wednesday, warning of incoming Iranian missiles targeting various parts of the country — suggesting an uptick in Iranian attempts to strike Israel even as its own military infrastructure is being systematically destroyed.
Prime Minister Netanyahu declared Wednesday that the war against Iran is “continuing with full force” and announced an expansion of Israel’s buffer zone in Lebanon — a clear signal that Israel sees this conflict as an opportunity to reshape the entire regional security architecture.
Israeli forces have reportedly destroyed or rendered inaccessible approximately 330 of Iran’s estimated 470 ballistic missile launchers, severely degrading Tehran’s ability to project power.
The Global Oil Crisis Deepens
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has created a daily supply deficit of around 15 million barrels of oil, triggering fuel shortages and emergency measures across the globe. Countries heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil are implementing drastic measures including fuel rationing, air conditioning restrictions, and even four-day work weeks to reduce energy consumption.
The IEA chief has described the energy crunch as worse than the 1970s oil crises and the impact of the Ukraine war combined. More than 40 Middle East energy assets have been “severely damaged,” according to the agency.
Lockheed Martin announced Wednesday that it will quadruple annual production of the Precision Strike Missile following its successful combat debut during Epic Fury — a sign that the U.S. defense industry is already gearing up for a prolonged period of heightened military readiness.
What Happens Next: The March 27 Deadline
All eyes are now on March 27 — the extended deadline President Trump set for Iran to reach a deal. Trump had previously threatened to strike Iranian power plants if Iran did not stop impeding shipping around the Strait of Hormuz by that date.
With that deadline now just two days away, the conflicting signals from Tehran — rejection of the ceasefire coupled with a counterproposal and ongoing message exchanges — suggest that both sides may be looking for an off-ramp, even if neither wants to be seen blinking first.
The next 48 hours could determine whether this conflict escalates further or begins winding down. With the 82nd Airborne deploying, A-10s hunting Iranian ships, and Iran threatening to mine the Gulf, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as the situation evolves.