Israeli Defense Minister announced that the country has launched attacks on Iran, prompting a national emergency declaration. As reported by Iran’s Fars News Agency, several missiles targeted multiple sites in central Tehran.
On February 28, 2026, an explosion in a residential area of Tehran led to thick plumes of smoke trailing into the sky. This operation is said to be a joint effort between the United States and Israel, with an Israeli security official stating the attack results from coordinated actions between the two nations. U.S. officials have confirmed military strikes are underway against Iran.
Israeli media reported that approximately 30 sites in Iran have been attacked, including significant locations such as the Iranian presidential palace and the Ministry of Intelligence and National Security. The New York Times relays information from Israeli defense officials, indicating that the strikes began at 8:10 AM local time. There are reports that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s residence was among the targets; however, it has been indicated that he is not in Tehran and has been relocated to a secure location.
The timing of these military actions raises questions, particularly as diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran were reportedly achieving “significant progress.” Oman’s Foreign Minister stated in a Washington interview that Iran had agreed not to possess materials capable of making nuclear weapons and was on track for “zero accumulation, zero stockpile,” marking an unprecedented breakthrough in negotiations.
Former President Donald Trump expressed hope for an agreement with Iran and mentioned that further negotiations would continue. He conveyed dissatisfaction with Iran’s position in nuclear discussions and emphasized the urgency of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, indicating a potential shift towards military action if necessary.
Zou Zhiqiang, a researcher at Fudan University’s Middle East Studies Center, noted that the decision to strike stems from a perception of military readiness. The deployment of a second U.S. aircraft carrier to the region and the largest military buildup in the Middle East since 2003, with advanced fighter jets and naval forces stationed in proximity to Israel, underscores this capability.
Reports indicate that on February 27, the USS Ford arrived in Israel’s waters, and about 20 U.S. refueling aircraft had landed at Ben Gurion Airport. Satellite imagery had shown F-22 stealth fighter jets stationed at Ovda Air Force Base in southern Israel, following the earlier deployment of additional advanced U.S. aircraft.
According to Zou, the ultimate objective for the U.S. and Israel transcends negotiations; it aims to contain and possibly overthrow the current Iranian regime. He suggested that Israel perceives diplomatic efforts as a way for Iran to buy time, thus advocating for military action instead. With increased military readiness, it seems that a clear decision has been made to engage militarily, although the outcome remains uncertain.
Zou also suggested that a response from Iran is inevitable, with questions lingering about whether it will be scaled or a more extensive retaliation. The evolving situation indicates a lack of control over the next phases of conflict, with significant risks associated with escalation. Simultaneously, Iranian officials are gearing up for a retaliatory campaign, reportedly set to be “devastating.”
Trump articulated that U.S. military efforts are geared towards the total destruction of the Iranian navy, framing these actions as essential to eliminating threats posed by the Iranian regime to American citizens. He reiterated that Iran would never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. An official reported that U.S. bases across the Middle East were actively participating in numerous airstrike missions, suggesting a concerted and extensive military engagement against Iran. As these developments unfold, the magnitude of the strikes is expected to be far greater than previous attacks conducted on Iran’s nuclear facilities last June.