Israel and the United States have launched coordinated military strikes on Iran, dramatically escalating tensions across the Middle East and pushing the region closer to a wider conflict. The operation marks one of the most direct confrontations between the longtime adversaries, with Washington and Tel Aviv framing the strikes as a move to neutralize security threats and curb Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities.
According to Iranian state media, explosions were reported in several major cities, including Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah, and Tabriz, while the port city of Bushehr – home to Iran’s nuclear power plant – was also reportedly targeted.
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In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched waves of missiles and drones toward Israel. The semi-official Tasnim News Agency confirmed the first round of retaliatory attacks. Israel activated its air defense systems to intercept incoming projectiles as sirens sounded across multiple cities.
Reports indicated that missiles struck near the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet service center in Bahrain, with witnesses in the Juffair district seeing smoke near a U.S. naval base. Explosions were also heard in Abu Dhabi. Iranian officials claimed that seven missiles hit areas near the presidential palace and the compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, further intensifying fears of a widening regional conflict.
Israeli Opposition Responds to Iran Strikes
Arab-Israeli opposition MK Ayman Odeh condemned the government’s decision to carry out joint strikes with the United States, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of steering the country toward perpetual conflict.
He said the current leadership has chosen a reality in which Israel will “live by the sword,” urging citizens to protect themselves because, in his view, the government will not. Odeh stressed that military force is not the only option and called for a broader regional approach aimed at achieving justice, peace, stability, and shared prosperity.
Other opposition lawmakers offered more measured reactions, with some refraining from openly criticizing the military operation that began Saturday.
Officials Confirm 40 Dead in Strike on Iranian Girls’ School
The death toll from an Israeli strike on a girls’ elementary school in Minab County, Hormozgan Province, has risen to 40, according to local officials.
The Epstein regime has murdered 24 girls at their elementary school in Minab city. pic.twitter.com/oYg4Fm3MVq
— Seyed Mohammad Marandi (@s_m_marandi) February 28, 2026
The political, security, and social deputy governor of Hormozgan told Tasnim News Agency that the school was directly hit during the latest round of attacks. Authorities confirmed that 40 students have so far been killed in the incident.
U.S. Issues Shelter-in-Place Advisory
The US State Department advised its citizens in Iran, Qatar, and the UAE to shelter in place until further notice, while the US Embassy in Jerusalem issued similar guidance.
The embassy in Qatar warned of an imminent Iranian missile strike, urging all Americans to remain in secure locations with adequate food, water, and medicine.
Iran has maintained that it never sought nuclear weapons but warned that it would defend itself against attacks.
Neighboring countries hosting US troops were cautioned that any strikes could provoke retaliatory action.
US President Donald Trump addressed the situation in a video, saying, “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating immediate threats from the Iranian regime.”
Airstrikes Hit Khamenei’s Compound
A photo published by The New York Times shows damage to the compound of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, following American and Israeli airstrikes in Tehran.
The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran Saturday, escalating tensions across the Middle East. President Donald Trump said the operation aims to eliminate security threats and prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Oil-producing Gulf states are on high alert amid fears of regional escalation. Israel reports that Iran has responded by launching missiles toward Israeli territory.
Supreme Leader Khamenei has reportedly been moved to a secure location, and President Masoud Pezeshkian is “safe,” according to state media.
He warned Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to “lay down their arms…You will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death.”
He added, “We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground…we’re going to annihilate their navy…Americans may be lost, and we may have casualties.”
Israeli Assassination Attempt Failed
Israeli assessments indicate that an attempt to assassinate Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has failed, according to Channel 15.
The Pentagon confirmed the first wave of strikes, named “OPERATION EPIC FURY,” primarily targeted senior Iranian officials.
Earlier reports suggested both leaders were targeted. However, Reuters sources indicated Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been relocated to a secure location.
Pakistan Issues Travel Advisory
Pakistan responded by directing air traffic controllers to closely monitor the country’s airspace, especially near Iran and Afghanistan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel advisory, urging Pakistani nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Iran.
🔊PR No.5️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 28, 2026
Travel Advisory for Pakistani Nationals Regarding Iranhttps://t.co/ON0V0mPmlM
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/Z2bIessIfP
Pakistani airlines have also been instructed to avoid Iranian airspace.
Reactions of Pakistani Politicians
Pakistani political figures reacted strongly. Allama Baqir Zaidi of the Jafaria Alliance condemned Israel’s attack, saying, “Israel has initiated war and put the region at risk. The people of Pakistan stand with the Iranian people.”
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, called the joint US-Israel strike “open terrorism” and criticized the US for using diplomacy as a cover.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari of the Pakistan Peoples Party described the attack as “alarming for peace in the region” and urged international bodies to intervene.
Russia Reacts: Medvedev Says U.S. Talks Were ‘a Cover’
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, criticized President Trump, claiming U.S. negotiations with Iran were merely a cover for military action.
Medvedev sarcastically questioned Trump’s image as a peacemaker and contrasted the 249-year history of the United States with the 2,500-year legacy of the Persian Empire, suggesting history would determine which nation endures longer.
Israeli Strike Hits Elementary School; 5 Killed
Iran’s Press TV reports that a girls’ elementary school in Minab County, Hormozgan Province, was directly hit in Israeli strikes. Five students were killed, according to local officials.
Blasts Heard in Doha
Explosions were reported in Doha, according to a Reuters witness. The cause remains unclear.
Iran’s foreign minister warned that Tehran would target all U.S. military bases in the region. Iran’s Fars news agency reported attacks on U.S. bases in Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.
Explosions Reported Across Gulf Region
Iranian media reports missile strikes targeting:
- Al-Udeid Air Base (Qatar)
- Al-Salem Air Base (Kuwait)
- Al-Dhafra Air Base (UAE)
- U.S. Fifth Fleet base (Bahrain)
AFP also reported explosions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Israelis Seek Shelter
Sirens sounded across Israel as missiles launched from Iran prompted civilians to move into protected shelters.
Iran Reaffirms Denial of Nuclear Weapons Ambitions
President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons, rejecting prior accusations from President Trump.
Earlier this week, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister addressed the UN Conference on Disarmament, stating Iran would “never seek nuclear weapons” and advocating peaceful nuclear energy use.
Iran’s Interior Ministry Urges Calm
Iran’s Interior Ministry condemned the strikes as violations of international law and urged provincial governors to mobilize emergency resources and maintain public calm.
Pentagon Confirms ‘OPERATION EPIC FURY’
The Pentagon confirmed the strikes are part of “OPERATION EPIC FURY.”
President Donald Trump stated that the United States has launched extensive military operations inside Iran.
He said the mission is aimed at protecting the American people and eliminating threats posed by the Iranian regime. He emphasized that Iran will never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Trump added that U.S. forces intend to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, dismantle its missile production infrastructure, and eliminate its naval forces.
Iranian Missiles Intercepted
The Israel Defense Forces reported additional missile volleys launched toward Israel and urged citizens to remain in protected areas.
The military stated air defense systems are actively intercepting incoming threats and warned against sharing images or impact locations online.
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Iranian officials vowed a harsh response targeting Israel and U.S. bases in the Middle East.
Explosions Rock Northern Israel
Explosions were heard in northern Israel as air defense systems intercepted incoming Iranian missiles. No immediate reports of casualties or significant damage.
Israel Confirms Missile Launch from Iran
The Israeli army confirmed missiles were detected heading toward Israel, triggering sirens nationwide. The Israeli Air Force is actively intercepting threats.
Key Targets in Tehran Identified
Israeli strikes reportedly targeted:
- Ministry of Intelligence
- Ministry of Defence
- Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran
- Parchin military complex
Iranian President Unharmed
Iranian media reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian was unharmed during the strikes.
Trump Announces Military Operation
President Donald Trump stated:
“We have started an extensive military operation in Iran; we will destroy the threat from the cruel Iranian regime.”
Iran Promises ‘Crushing’ Response
An Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran is preparing retaliation and that its response “will be crushing.”
Assault Expected to Last Four Days
The New York Times reported that the initial phase of strikes on Tehran is expected to continue for four days.
Multiple Cities Targeted
According to the Tehran Times, strikes occurred in Qom, Khoramabad, Esfahan, and Tehran.
Civilians Hit in Tehran
Reports indicate civilian casualties following Israeli strikes in Tehran.
U.S. Participation Confirmed
The United States participated directly in the strikes, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing a U.S. official.
Khamenei Not in Tehran During Strikes
Reuters reported that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was not in Tehran at the time of the attacks.
