The Pentagon has instructed U.S. military personnel to stop referring to ongoing operations in Iran as Operation Epic Fury, nearly three months after the Trump administration declared the operation had ended.
An Air Force email obtained by CBS News and dated August 7 directed high-level public affairs officers to instruct military leaders to avoid using the term. Instead, personnel were told to use broader language, such as "overseas operations in the [U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility]", to describe the conflict.
The guidance was issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s central public affairs office, led by Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesman. The email was shared with senior U.S. Air Force leaders ahead of the 2026 Air Force Sergeants Association conference in Orlando, Florida.
Operation Epic Fury’s Official End Date
The Pentagon confirmed that Operation Epic Fury officially ended on May 5, the same day Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a White House briefing: "The operation is over. Epic Fury is — the president notified Congress — we're done with that stage of it. We're now on to this Project Freedom." Four days earlier, President Trump had informed Congress that the "hostilities" had "terminated."
Despite the formal end date, the U.S. and Iran have continued to exchange intermittent fire since May 5, though fighting has seen lengthy pauses, including a ceasefire that began in early April.
Questions Raised by the Timing
The Pentagon’s delayed guidance on terminology has prompted questions about how service members killed or wounded after May 5 are categorized, as well as why the instruction came months after the operation’s official conclusion. Previously, the Pentagon and U.S. Central Command had declined to disclose the operation’s end date for months.
Background: Operation Epic Fury and Its Aftermath
Operation Epic Fury was a U.S. military operation targeting Iranian-backed forces, though details about its scope and objectives have not been fully disclosed. The operation’s name became widely used by personnel and media outlets prior to the Pentagon’s directive.
Since the operation’s formal end, the U.S. has maintained a military presence in the region, engaging in sporadic clashes with Iranian forces and proxies. The ceasefire in April marked a temporary reduction in hostilities, though tensions remain high.
Military Personnel Response
The Air Force email did not provide a rationale for the change in terminology but emphasized adherence to official designations. Military leaders were instructed to comply with the guidance to ensure consistent messaging across all branches of the armed forces.
The Pentagon has not publicly addressed the specific reasons behind the delayed instruction or the implications for service members involved in post-May 5 engagements.