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In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, 2026, marking one of the most significant confrontations between Tehran and its adversaries in years.
The Offensive
Israeli officials said they carried out a pre-emptive attack Sunday on Iranian targets, including military infrastructure and strategic sites across the country. Explosions were reported in Tehran and other major cities, and Iranian airspace was rocked by blasts. The operation was planned in coordination with U.S. forces, and American strikes were reportedly underway in parallel.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz framed the offensive as necessary to neutralise what Israel sees as a growing existential threat from Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes.
President Donald Trump described the action as the start of “major combat operations” and urged the Iranian people to seize control of their destiny by rising up against their government.
Claims About Iran’s Leadership
In a startling development, Israeli authorities said there were “many signs” Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, may have been killed in the strikes, citing damage to his compound and the deaths of senior officials. Iran has not independently confirmed his death.
Iranian Response
Iran responded with missile barrages aimed at Israel and multiple Gulf states hosting U.S. military assets. Air raid sirens sounded across Israel, forcing civilians into shelters. Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces threatened further retaliation and warned they could close vital shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
Impact on Civilians
Reports from Iranian authorities and international outlets suggest civilian areas have been struck. One blow to a primary school in southern Iran reportedly killed more than 100 people, mostly schoolgirls, according to local officials – a development described by Iran as a war crime.
In Israel, residents endured repeated missile alerts and took cover in shelters throughout the day, highlighting widespread anxiety among civilians.
International Reaction
Reactions have been varied:
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Russia condemned the strikes as an “unprovoked act of armed aggression” and called for an immediate halt to the military actions.
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Global leaders and organisations are calling for restraint and pushing for diplomacy, even as world markets react nervously.
Strategic and Economic Concerns
Analysts warn that the conflict could disrupt global energy markets, especially if the Strait of Hormuz – a key passage for oil shipments – is threatened or closed.