'No aborts. Good luck': Key moments in the US war on Iran

US forces then launched a sweeping campaign of strikes that has smashed Iranian command-and-control sites, destroyed missile infrastructure and sunk navy vessels. Below, AFP examines key moments in the US operation against Iran. The buildup The United States has for weeks been building up military forces in the Middle East "to reinforce deterrence and provide the president with credible options should action be required," top US military officer General Dan Caine told a news conference on Monday.