Attack on Iran Today: US-Israel Strikes Explained – Timeline, Facts, and Global Reactions

Date: February 28, 2026 | Breaking News | Developing Story

Iran is under attack right now.

The United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran early Saturday morning in what both governments are calling a preemptive operation to remove Iran’s missile capability and nuclear ambitions. Explosions have been reported across Tehran and at least six other Iranian cities. Iran has already retaliated with ballistic missiles targeting Israel and US military bases across the Middle East.

This is the biggest escalation in the US-Iran conflict in decades, and it is still expanding.

Key facts right now:

• Operation name: Roaring Lion (IDF designation) / Operation Shield of Judah
• Strikes hit Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Kermanshah, Karaj, Tabriz, and Ilam
• Iran retaliated with ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel and US Gulf bases
• Airspace closed: Iran, Israel, Iraq, UAE, and others
• One person killed in Abu Dhabi after Iranian missile debris fell on a residential area
• US is planning a multi-day operation, not a single strike

What Happened Today – Hour by Hour Timeline

Pre-Dawn: Israel Strikes First

Israel launched the first wave of strikes early Saturday morning, targeting military infrastructure across Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly confirmed the operation, calling it a preemptive attack to “remove threats to the State of Israel.”

Seven missiles struck the district in Tehran where Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei normally resides, the same area that houses the presidential palace and the National Security Council.

US Forces Join the Campaign

Within hours, the United States confirmed its own military involvement. President Trump posted an eight-minute video to Truth Social declaring that the US had begun “major combat operations” in Iran.

Trump’s stated objectives: destroy Iran’s missile systems, eliminate its naval capabilities, and, for the first time, openly push for regime change in Tehran. He told Iranian citizens: “The hour of your freedom is at hand.”

Strikes Hit Multiple Iranian Cities

Confirmed explosions reported in:

• Tehran – near Khamenei’s compound, the Jomhouri area, University Street, and the intelligence ministry complex
• Isfahan
• Qom
• Kermanshah
• Karaj
• Tabriz
• Ilam and Lorestan province

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the strikes targeted military and defense sites as well as civilian infrastructure.

Iran Fires Back

Iran launched multiple barrages of ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel and US military bases across the Gulf. Targets included:

• Northern Israel (missile interceptions reported, one person lightly injured)
• Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar
• US Navy 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain
• Military installations in the UAE and Kuwait

One person, an Asian national, was killed in Abu Dhabi after intercepted Iranian missile debris fell on a residential area.

A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera: “All American and Israeli assets and interests in the Middle East have become a legitimate target. There are no red lines after this aggression.”

Why Did the US and Israel Attack Iran Today?

Three main reasons:

1. Nuclear program talks collapsed. The US and Iran held indirect negotiations in Geneva on Thursday, just two days before the strikes. No deal was reached. Trump said on Friday he was “not happy” with how Iran was negotiating. On Saturday, he said Iran “rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions.”
2. Iran was rebuilding its nuclear and missile capabilities. Trump claimed Iran had been rebuilding its nuclear program after US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025. Satellite imagery had shown Iran fortifying several nuclear sites in recent weeks.
3. Internal pressure and regime instability. Beginning in December 2025, Iran experienced its largest anti-government protests since the 1979 revolution, spreading to over 100 cities. The Iranian government responded with violent crackdowns. Trump cited approximately 32,000 protesters killed by the Iranian regime during a briefing on Friday.

The IDF stated: “The regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel. Despite the severe blow it sustained during Operation Rising Lion, Iran continued efforts to advance, fortify, and conceal its nuclear program.”

Who Was Targeted and Why

Military and Missile Infrastructure

The primary targets were Iran’s ballistic missile systems, missile launchers, naval assets, and military production facilities. Trump said the goal was to “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground” and to “annihilate their navy.”

Iranian Leadership

Israeli sources confirmed that strikes specifically targeted:

• Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
• President Masoud Pezeshkian
• Armed Forces Chief of Staff Sayyid Abdolrahim Mousavi
• Defence Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani
• National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani

Whether any senior leaders were killed remains unclear. Iran’s state media reported that President Pezeshkian was “in full health.” Khamenei’s status has not been confirmed publicly.

Iran’s Retaliation – What Has Already Happened

Iran launched what it called its “first wave” of drones and missiles shortly after the strikes began. Targets hit or intercepted:

• Israel: Multiple barrages intercepted over northern and southern Israel. One man lightly injured by falling missile fragments.
• Bahrain: Explosions near US Navy 5th Fleet headquarters
• Qatar: Two Iranian missiles intercepted over Qatari territory. US Embassy in Qatar ordered shelter-in-place for all American personnel.
• Abu Dhabi, UAE: One person killed by missile debris
• Saudi Arabia: Explosions reported in Riyadh

Iran has declared all US and Israeli interests in the Middle East to be “legitimate targets” and promised a response that is “crushing.”

Global Reactions

Netanyahu thanked Trump for his “historic friendship” and called on all Iranian ethnic groups, Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Balochis, and Ahwazis, to “rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny.”

Disruptions: Aviation, Energy, and Citizens

Airspace Closures

Iran, Israel, and Iraq have all closed their airspace. Israeli carrier Israir cancelled all flights through Monday morning. Passengers booked through March 2 are entitled to full refunds.

Energy Markets

Oil prices are moving sharply amid fears of disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil supply passes. Updates will be added as markets respond.

Citizens and Embassies

India, Australia, and several other countries have issued safety advisories urging their nationals in Iran and Israel to avoid unnecessary movement and monitor the situation closely.

Could This Become a Wider War?

Three realistic scenarios analysts are watching:

Scenario 1: Contained multi-day operation. The US completes its planned multi-day strikes, degrades Iran’s missile program, and Iran retaliates with limited force before pressure mounts for a ceasefire.

Scenario 2: Regional proxy escalation. Iran activates its full network of aligned groups, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi forces in Yemen, and militia groups in Iraq, opening multiple simultaneous fronts against Israel and US assets.

Scenario 3: Regime collapse. The strikes, combined with ongoing internal protests, create the conditions for political transition inside Iran that the US and Israel appear to be openly encouraging.

Military officials, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, had previously warned privately about the scale, complexity, and potential for US casualties of a prolonged conflict with Iran.

Quick Facts: Attack on Iran Today

FAQ

Why did the US and Israel attack Iran today?

Both governments said diplomatic talks over Iran’s nuclear and missile programs failed. Trump said Iran “rejected every opportunity” to reach a deal. Israel said Iran was continuing to secretly rebuild its nuclear capabilities despite US strikes in June 2025.

Did Iran launch missiles after the attack?

Yes. Iran launched multiple barrages of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, and Kuwait. Some were intercepted. One person was killed in Abu Dhabi by missile debris.

Which cities in Iran were hit?

Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Kermanshah, Karaj, Tabriz, Ilam, and Lorestan province, according to Iranian state media and CNN-verified footage.

Was Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei killed?

Unknown. His compound in Tehran was targeted. He had not been seen publicly in days before the attack. Iran’s state media has not confirmed his status.

Has any world leader condemned the attacks?

Switzerland, Malaysia, and the EU have called for restraint. Australia expressed support for the US position. India urged caution. Most reactions are still coming in.

Is there a risk of a wider war?

Analysts say the risk is significant. Iran has threatened to target all US and Israeli interests in the Middle East and has already struck US military bases in multiple Gulf countries. Whether Iran’s proxy network activates will be a key indicator in the next 24-48 hours.

Summary

The United States and Israel launched one of the most significant military operations against Iran in history on February 28, 2026. Explosions struck Tehran and at least six other cities. Iran has already fired back with missiles reaching Israel and four Gulf states. Airspace across the region is closed. One person has been killed.

Trump has framed this as a multi-day campaign aimed at destroying Iran’s missiles, its navy, and, explicitly, its government. Netanyahu has called on Iranians to overthrow the regime.

The next 24 to 48 hours will determine whether this remains a focused military operation or becomes a broader regional war.

This is a developing story. All confirmed updates will be added.