Pentagon drops 'Operation Epic Fury' name for Iran conflict

The Pentagon ordered US military officials in August to stop referring to the conflict with Iran as "Operation Epic Fury," instead using the term "overseas operations in the CENTCOM AOR," according to a CBS report citing an Air Force email. The August 7 guidance came after the Pentagon stated the operation had officially concluded on May 5, following an April ceasefire, with subsequent activities focused on Freedom of Navigation operations and strikes against the IRGC. The Pentagon did not explain why the directive was issued months later. This timeline raises questions about casualty classifications, as four soldiers killed in July were designated "Overseas Operations Casualties," separate from the 14 listed under Operation Epic Fury, though the Defense Department's website still lists some later casualties under the old operation name.