February 28, 2026

Israel and the US Launch War Against Iran. Trump Calls on Iranian Opposition to Overthrow the Regime, Tehran Launches Missiles at Israel and US Bases. Key Details

War Begins On the morning of February 28, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a preemptive strike against Iran, according to Ynet. The Pentagon named the operation in Iran "Epic Fury," and Israel called it "Roaring Lion." A state of emergency was declared in Israel. Authorities urged the public to follow instructions and remain in protected areas. Sirens sounded across the country, the IDF reported. Israel closed its airspace, banned educational activities, gatherings, and the operation of businesses (except for vital sectors). Iran, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait also closed their airspace. Oman closed its capital's airport. The UAE imposed temporary restrictions on airspace use. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation and the Iranian people, stating the operation would last several days and aimed to prevent the ayatollah regime from acquiring nuclear weapons. "It is time for all parts of the Iranian people – Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Balochis, and Ahwazis – to cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring Iran to freedom and peace," Netanyahu said. US Actions Shortly after the war began, Trump confirmed US participation in the operation against Iran in a statement on Truth Social. "We have begun a large-scale military operation in Iran. We will eliminate the threat from the cruel Iranian regime. Iran is the world's largest sponsor of terrorism. They will never have nuclear weapons. We are going to destroy Iranian missiles and level their missile industry," he stated. Prince Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Iranian Shah overthrown in the Islamic Revolution, also addressed the Iranian people after the Israeli and US operations began. He thanked Trump for initiating a "humanitarian intervention" aimed at the "Islamic Republic, its repressive apparatus, and its killing machine, not the great nation of Iran." He added, "Despite the help, ultimate victory will be achieved by ourselves. It is the people of Iran who will complete this final battle. The time to return to the streets is near. Now that the Islamic Republic is on the verge of collapse, my message to the country's armed forces, police, and security structures is clear: your duty is to protect the people, not the regime that has taken our homeland hostage through repression and crime. Join the people and help ensure a stable and secure transition." Targets in Iran One of Israel's targets in Iran was the residence of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to the Associated Press. Iranian state television confirmed an explosion in the vicinity of the offices, Ynet reported. Reuters stated that Khamenei is not in Tehran and has been moved to a safe location. Media reports indicated another target was the residence of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the Times of Israel, though he was unharmed. In addition to Tehran, explosions were reported in Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah, Israeli media reported. Isfahan houses one of Iran's nuclear facilities. Sources for Reuters and The Times of Israel reported that the head of the IRGC and the Iranian Minister of Defense were killed in the strikes by Israel and the US. There has been no official confirmation of this information. Iran's Foreign Minister stated that "all" senior officials, including Ali Khamenei, are alive. Israeli Channel 12 claimed Khamenei was killed. Iran's Response In response to the strikes, Iran attempted to strike US bases in the Middle East. Media reports indicated Tehran attempted to attack: the Fifth Fleet Support Center in Bahrain; a US base in Iraqi Kurdistan; Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar; Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait; Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE; Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan; and Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Iran began blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route. Casualties The Red Crescent claims over 200 people died and 700 were injured in Iran due to the attacks. Latest reports indicate 89 people were injured in Israel from shelling, 12 in Kuwait, and four in the UAE. At least one person was killed in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital. Iran stated that students were killed in a school hit by Israeli and US strikes in Minab, with up to 160 potential casualties, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Moscow's Reaction Putin convened a Security Council meeting regarding the situation in Iran, with details not disclosed. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Arakchi, initiated by the Iranian side. Lavrov condemned the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and emphasized the need to immediately cease attacks against the Islamic Republic. Arakchi thanked Russia for its "unwavering and firm support." Context Preparation for the strike on Iran had been ongoing for several months. The New York Times reported that Washington anticipates more intense strikes on Iran than the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June of last year. Channel 12 reported that Israel plans to conduct strikes in Iran for four days initially. The previous day, the UK recalled its embassy staff from Iran. The State Department urged Americans to refrain from traveling to Iran. The US Ambassador to Israel warned his staff that those permitted to leave the country should do so "today." Airport Closures and Flight Cancellations BBC reported that flights in the region were suspended by Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways, WizzAir, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Japan Airlines, Swiss Air, Iberia Express, and Air India. Aeroflot rerouted flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Dubai, Abu Dhabi (UAE), Doha (Qatar), and Malé (Maldives), with some flights cancelled. An S7 flight from Novosibirsk to Dubai landed at a reserve airfield in Karachi, Pakistan. World Reaction France requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council due to the escalating situation around Iran, announced French President Emmanuel Macron. He stated that the escalation must stop and Iran must end its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. The Russian Foreign Ministry called the attacks a "planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa jointly stated that the events in Iran cause "serious concern" and called for "maximum restraint." The office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with the people of Iran. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide believes the Israeli attack on Iran does not comply with international law. A UK government spokesperson stated that London "does not wish for further escalation of the conflict on a wider regional scale," adding that the government's priority is the safety of British citizens. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez demanded immediate de-escalation and full respect for international law from the conflict parties. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated his government "supports US actions to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons." UAE authorities stated the strike "is a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law," adding that they "reserve the full right to respond to this escalation."