The United States and Israel have launched a major joint military operation against Iran, striking targets across the country, including in the capital city of Tehran. This escalation marks a significant and dangerous development in the long-standing tensions between these nations, coming just eight months after a previous 12-day conflict involving similar attacks.
What Happened
Early on February 28, 2026, explosions rocked several Iranian cities. Reports first came from Tehran’s Fars news agency around 9:27 a.m. local time (6:27 GMT), describing blasts in areas like University Street, Jomhouri, near the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) headquarters, and close to the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Smoke rose over parts of the city, as shown in videos shared on social media. Strikes also hit other locations, including Kermanshah, Qom, Tabriz, Isfahan, Ilam, Karaj, and Lorestan province.
Israel announced it had carried out missile strikes on Iranian targets, calling the operation “Lion’s Roar.” A U.S. official confirmed it was a joint effort with Israel. The U.S. Department of Defense named its part “Operation Epic Fury,” describing it as a large-scale campaign involving fighter jets, warships, and other assets. President Donald Trump called it “major combat operations” that are “massive and ongoing.”
Trump stated the goals include destroying Iran’s missile capabilities and production facilities, targeting its navy, disrupting Iran-backed armed groups in the region, and ensuring Iran never develops a nuclear weapon. He warned Iranian military personnel to lay down their weapons for amnesty or face “certain death,” while acknowledging possible U.S. casualties. He also urged Iranians to “take over your government,” saying it could be their only chance for generations to achieve freedom.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation would continue “as long as necessary” to remove existential threats to Israel.
Why the Attacks Happened
The U.S. and Israel have long viewed Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missile development, and support for regional armed groups as major threats. They claim Iran’s advancing enrichment activities and missile capabilities endanger their security. Iran has repeatedly stated it has no intention of building a nuclear weapon, though it has enriched uranium to high levels.
The current strikes followed weeks of rising threats from Trump and came right after progress in negotiations mediated by Oman in Geneva. Iran reportedly agreed to zero uranium stockpiling and full IAEA verification. Despite this, the U.S. and Israel proceeded with force.
This is the second major attack in less than a year—last June, the U.S. and Israel hit Iranian nuclear and military sites, killing senior commanders. Both sides have justified preemptive action to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons (Israel is the only Middle Eastern country known to possess them). Trump has framed the current campaign partly as an opportunity for regime change, echoing historical U.S. involvement in Iran, like the 1953 CIA-backed coup.
Iran’s Response
Iran quickly retaliated, launching missiles at northern Israel—triggering air-raid sirens and explosions there—and targeting U.S. military bases across the Middle East. These included Al Udeid in Qatar, Al-Salem in Kuwait, Al-Dhafra in the UAE, the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, sites in Jordan, and reports of explosions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Iranian officials called it self-defense against aggression. The head of parliament’s national security commission warned of a “crushing” response. Casualties remain unclear, but Iranian media reported over 200 killed in the initial strikes, including civilians (one strike reportedly hit a school, killing dozens of children). President Masoud Pezeshkian was reported safe, though unconfirmed rumors circulated about Khamenei’s status or death—Israeli officials claimed signs he was killed, but Iranian sources denied this.
International Reactions
The world responded with alarm:
- Oman criticized the strikes for undermining negotiations and urged de-escalation.
- Qatar, UAE, and others condemned Iranian missile attacks on their soil as sovereignty violations.
- EU leaders called the situation “perilous” and “dangerous,” urging protection of civilians and adherence to international law.
- France’s President Macron warned of grave consequences for global peace.
- Russia accused the U.S. of using talks as cover.
- The UK and Canada supported preventing Iran from getting nuclear weapons.
- The WHO highlighted health risks, especially if nuclear sites are hit.
Airspaces closed in Iran, Israel, Iraq, and several Gulf countries. Airlines suspended flights, and travel advisories increased.
This conflict risks spreading further across the Middle East, with potential for more strikes, higher casualties, and broader instability. Details on damage, deaths, and next steps remain limited and changing rapidly as events unfold.