Photo courtesy of Saifee Art on Unsplash.
Editor’s Note: This report is accurate as of 5 p.m. on March 6, 2026.
The state’s involvement, citizen safety, and gas prices at the forefront.
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By Nicole Droeger Stephens
TAMPA, Fla. — The United States and Israel launched missile attacks in Iran on Feb. 28, 2026, to counteract Iran’s regime. This follows Iran’s response to protests that led to over 7,000 deaths.
An airstrike targeting the compound successfully killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran shot missiles into Israel and U.S. bases in the Middle East, including one in Kuwait that killed six people.
The ongoing war effort, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” by the U.S., has various impacts across the state of Florida.
ABC7 reported on March 3 that the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa is involved with Operation Epic Fury. Serving as the headquarters for the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the operations in the Middle East are planned, ordered, and executed through the base.
Tampa Bay 28 reported that U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited MacDill Air Force Base on March 5 to provide updates on the war. During the briefing, Hegseth praised service members and the president for the war efforts. CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper announced increases in the missile strikes in Iran.
Tampa Bay 10 reported protests both for and against Florida’s involvement occurred outside of Tampa’s City Hall on March 2. On the same day, Creative Loafing reported that the Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society and the Tampa Immigrants’ Rights Committee protested against the war on Iran on the University of South Florida’s campus.
On March 3, WUSF reported that one of the troops killed during the attack was Capt. Cody Khork, 35, a former Army reservist from Polk County. He and the other troops were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, Iowa, which provides Army rations.
According to a Facebook post from Florida Southern College, Khork studied political science and was part of the ROTC program. He graduated in 2014 and later became a military police officer for the Army Reserve.
The Associated Press reported the U.S. closed its embassy in Kuwait on March 5.
WFLA reported on March 3 that residents of Tampa Bay are trapped in Kuwait following the missile strikes. Tampa’s nonprofit Grey Bull Rescue is working to bring back more U.S. citizens. As of the report, they have successfully brought 70 residents home.
In a Truth Social post from Mar. 3, President Donald J. Trump told U.S. citizens wishing to evacuate the Middle East to register with the State Department at step.state.gov. He claims, “Since the launch of Operation Epic Fury, more than 9,000 Americans have safely returned home from the Middle East.”
As of March 6th, the State Department said 24,000 Americans have returned home from the Middle East.
According to data collected daily by AAA, the average gas price in Florida as of March 6 is $3.35, which is up 15% from the previous week’s average of $2.91. The average a month ago was $2.88. These changes in gas prices follow the increased cost of WTI crude oil due to the war.
As of March 6, President Trump called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” as the war continues.