Pentagon ends 'Operation Epic Fury' name for Iran conflict

The Pentagon confirmed that Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military campaign against Iran, officially ended on May 5, three months after an Air Force email instructed personnel to stop using the name for ongoing operations. The August email, obtained by CBS News, directed leaders to refer to current actions as "overseas operations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility." The guidance was issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's public affairs office and disseminated across the entire Defense Department. The May 5 end date raises questions about casualty classifications, as four service members killed in July were initially listed under Epic Fury before being recategorized. The U.S. and Iran have continued exchanging fire since the ceasefire collapsed in July.