US B-2 Bombers Strike Iranian Missile Bunkers | Iran-US Conflict 2024

Tampa, Florida – U.S. Forces have significantly escalated their military operations against Iran, conducting nearly 200 strikes within the past 72 hours, including a barrage of 2,000-pound penetrator bombs targeting buried ballistic missile launchers around Tehran, according to statements released Thursday by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

The intensification of the conflict, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” follows an initial wave of strikes and has been accompanied by a concerted effort to degrade Iran’s naval capabilities. CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper revealed that over 30 Iranian navy vessels have been sunk or destroyed, and a large Iranian drone carrier ship – described as roughly the size of a World War II aircraft carrier – is currently ablaze after being targeted in recent hours.

Speaking alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa, Florida, Admiral Cooper detailed the scope of the offensive. “We’re now up over 30 ships,” he said, referring to the number of Iranian vessels neutralized. He further stated that American bombers have struck “almost 200 targets deep inside Iran, including around Tehran” in the last three days. The strikes included the deployment of B-2 bombers which dropped “dozens of 2,000-pound penetrative bombs on buried ballistic missile launchers.”

The U.S. Has also targeted what Cooper described as Iran’s “equivalent of Space Command,” though details regarding this facility remain limited. Secretary Hegseth indicated that the U.S. Military presence in the region is set to increase further, stating, “When we say more to reach, it’s more fighter squadrons, it’s more capabilities, it’s more defensive capabilities and it’s more bomber pulses more frequently.”

While the U.S. Military campaign has ramped up, Cooper reported a significant decline in Iran’s offensive capabilities. Ballistic missile attacks have decreased by 90% since the start of Operation Epic Fury, and drone attacks have fallen by 83% over the same period. CENTCOM’s stated objective, according to Cooper, is to “level Iran’s ballistic missile industrial base,” a directive issued by President Donald Trump.

The escalation comes after a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East. While the initial catalyst for the current operations is not explicitly detailed in available statements, the strikes represent a substantial increase in direct U.S. Military action against Iran. The operation has also involved defensive measures, with CENTCOM forces successfully defending against “hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks” following the initial strikes.

The impact of the U.S.-led offensive extends beyond the destruction of military hardware. Cooper noted that Iran’s navy has been “decimated” and its drone capabilities “damaged.” The targeting of the drone carrier ship, in particular, represents a significant blow to Iran’s ability to project power in the region.

The situation remains fluid, and the potential for further escalation is high. While Iranian offensive capabilities have reportedly diminished, the country’s response remains a key concern. CENTCOM officials have emphasized their continued vigilance, despite the observed reduction in Iranian attacks. The long-term geopolitical consequences of Operation Epic Fury are yet to be fully understood, but the current trajectory suggests a prolonged period of instability in the Middle East.

The strikes are occurring against a backdrop of increasing international scrutiny. Recent votes in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, though ultimately unsuccessful, demonstrate a degree of congressional concern regarding the scope and duration of military action against Iran. These resolutions, defeated along party lines, highlight the domestic political complexities surrounding the conflict.