The United States and Israel launched surprise airstrikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials, according to Iranian state media. The attack, dubbed 'Operation Epic Fury' by the U.S. Department of Defense, triggered immediate retaliatory strikes from Iran against Israel and U.S. bases across the region.
Iran responded with missile and drone strikes against Israel and U.S. bases in the region, according to multiple sources. The retaliatory strikes killed two elderly civilians in Ramat Gan, Israel, a Magen David Adom spokesperson confirmed. An Iranian projectile also landed near Australia's Al Minhad base in the United Arab Emirates, causing minor damage, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. Iran launched strikes at U.S. bases in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE, according to six sources. Additionally, Iran launched two ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia base on the Chagos Islands, multiple reports indicate.
Iran's army chief warned of a 'decisive, deterrent, and regretful response'.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel escalated into the 2026 Lebanon war, according to six sources. Fighting broke out after the U.S. and Israel launched initial strikes on Iran, research shows. The Israel Defense Forces discovered a Hezbollah weapons cache and tunnels beneath a clothes shop in El-Khiam, Lebanon, the IDF and a military official said. The tunnel network was 25 meters deep and used as a command center by Hezbollah, according to an IDF statement. Israel established a buffer zone 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory, destroying homes and infrastructure, the Israeli military said. Israeli strikes on Beirut killed at least six people and injured 24, Lebanon's Health Ministry reported.
Iran has said it will use 'crushing' force in response, according to a government statement. Iran's army chief warned of a 'decisive, deterrent, and regretful response,' as reported by Iranian media. The Revolutionary Guards said it launched missiles at central Israel 'in revenge,' the organization stated.
The Revolutionary Guards said it launched missiles at central Israel 'in revenge'.
President Trump lashed out at NATO allies who 'don't want to get involved,' he said in a public speech. Trump administration officials gave conflicting explanations for starting the war, according to multiple reports. Iran and Pentagon officials rejected claims that Iran had been preparing an attack, both sides stated.
The U.S.-Israeli attack killed civilians and damaged schools, hospitals, and cultural heritage sites, according to six sources. The full extent of casualties and damage from the initial strikes remains unclear.
Iran's Foreign Minister said the US blockade of Iranian ports was an 'act of war' and a violation of the ceasefire.
The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution condemning Iran's retaliatory strikes on Gulf states, according to six sources. Critics described the attacks as illegal under U.S. law and a violation of Iran's sovereignty, legal and international relations experts said.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said there was no evidence of a structured nuclear weapons program at the time of the strikes, the agency stated.
An advisor to Iran's parliament speaker said Trump's ceasefire extension was a 'ploy to buy time' for a surprise strike.
President Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran as the current two-week truce was set to expire, he announced. However, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports was an 'act of war' and a violation of the ceasefire. An advisor to Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Trump's ceasefire extension was a 'ploy to buy time' for a surprise strike. The current status of the ceasefire is uncertain, with conflicting reports about whether it remains in effect or has collapsed.