Following the opening salvoes of the ongoing U.S. Operation Epic Fury, which ended the existence of the now former Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and dozens of other high-level Iranian figures, the Islamic Republic of Iran is striking back.
As we’ve reported, they’ve attacked American air bases in multiple Muslim countries, sparking widespread backlash from their leaders, and they have gone on to vow to “stab” America in the heart.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, President Donald Trump told them in no uncertain terms that if they continued in their violent ways, they would pay an even heavier cost than they have so far. After the June 2025 Operation Midnight Hammer, which blew up their nuclear facilities, and now Epic Fury, which just sent their leader to meet his maker, they’d be wise to listen.
Donald J. Trump Truth Social Post 12:25 AM EST 03.01.26
Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before. THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE! Thank…
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) March 1, 2026
THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE! Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP
BREAKING: Iran’s State-Controlled Media’s Chilling Announcement of the Death of Ayatollah Khameini
Israel is also taking the fight straight to the Islamic Republic:
Israel announced in the early hours of Sunday that it had begun a new ‘strike wave’ targeting Iran’s ballistic missiles and aerial defense systems, after Iran launched drones and missiles at Tel Aviv, which were intercepted and shot down.
In response, the IRGC said it was carrying out a ‘sixth wave’ of ‘extensive missile and drone’ attacks on 27 US military bases. The extent of the damage is not yet clear.
It comes as Iran formally confirmed that Khamenei was killed in his home office. ‘To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return,’ an Iranian news agency said.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had warned that its “largest offensive operation in the history of its armed forces” would be unleashed in moments. They may end up wishing that they had taken a little more time to think about that one.
Iranian women are celebrating. Not a single hijab in sight.
This is the main difference between Iran and Syria, Iraq or Afghanistan.
Unlike those countries, where the population is extremist, it’s the complete opposite in Iran.
The Islamic regime never represented them. pic.twitter.com/tlBB5ZAFLQ
— Dr. Maalouf (@realMaalouf) February 28, 2026
It’s unclear what happens next to the despotic regime, now neutered, and how much more fighting is left to be done. Trump hinted that he had someone in mind, however, to lead the country back into the modern world:
His [the Ayatollah’s] death plunges the Middle East into uncertainty, with questions being asked about who will lead the country, how Iran’s proxies will respond and how much more retaliation the US, Israel, and its regional neighbors can expect.
Trump said there are “some good candidates” to lead Iran. Asked by CBS News who he thought was in charge, Trump said: “I know exactly who, but I can’t tell you.”
Trump said the US attack would continue with heavy bombing throughout the week.
RedState will continue to keep you updated as new developments in this ongoing story occur.
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