The United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, 2026, according to multiple sources. Thousands of people have been killed across the region in just over a month of fighting, which began when the U.S. and Israel struck Iran on 28 February. More than 1,800 people have been killed so far in the conflict, including 8 U.S. service members, according to research citing seven sources.
Iran's leadership has been thrown into uncertainty following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The Assembly of Experts appointed Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed Ali Khamenei as Supreme Leader, according to research from two sources. However, research from seven sources indicates that while Mojtaba Khamenei has been named Supreme Leader, who is really leading Iran is unclear. Ali Larijani, as chair of the Supreme National Security Council, is running Iran's war effort after Khamenei's death, according to research from seven sources.
Iran has retaliated aggressively against U.S. and Israeli interests. According to research from two sources, Iran has targeted U.S. military facilities and energy or civilian infrastructure in Gulf states. The country has also launched ballistic missiles at Israel and drones or missiles at U.S. bases in multiple countries, research from two sources indicates. Iran is trying to regionalize the conflict by attacking targets in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and other countries, according to research from two sources.
The conflict has precipitated a severe global economic disruption. Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, causing a global energy shock, according to research from three sources.
There will be no negotiations with the United States.
Casualty figures from the war reveal significant confusion and discrepancy about its human toll. While research from seven sources states more than 1,800 people have been killed, including 8 U.S. service members, independent organizations estimate between 3,500 and 6,900 deaths in Iran, including over 1,500 civilians. The Pentagon estimates approximately 6,000 Iranian military personnel killed, according to an attribution to the Pentagon. The U.S.-based rights group HRANA said 3,486 people have been killed since the war erupted, with 1,568 of those being civilians, including at least 236 children, according to the group's reports.
The U.S. military has suffered losses amid controversial incidents. At least three U.S. jets have been shot down in the first two days of fighting, according to research from seven sources. The United States claims the jets were shot down by friendly fire, according to an official U.S. attribution. A U.S. strike on an Iranian elementary school killed at least 175 students, according to reported information. An unlawful attack on a primary school in Minab killed dozens of schoolchildren, with the U.S. responsible according to a preliminary military report. Iranian officials say that at least 168 people, including about 110 children, were killed in an attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh school in the southern Iranian city of Minab on the first day, according to those officials.
Iran's military conduct has drawn sharp international condemnation, particularly for recruiting child soldiers. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is recruiting children as young as 12 as 'homeland defending combatants'. Human Rights Watch said on Monday that the military recruitment and use of children was a violation of children’s rights and a war crime when the children are under 15, according to the organization. The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights called the initiative a 'systematic crime against children', according to that group. Hengaw reported this week on the death of Alireza Jafari, an 11-year-old boy who was killed in a drone strike 'while on duty' at a checkpoint in Tehran, according to the Basij Teachers Organization, as cited by Hengaw. Witnesses told the BBC that they had seen children, including some armed, in security roles in Tehran and other cities. Iran is bound by a customary international law which makes the recruitment of children under 15 a war crime, according to legal experts.
Internally, Iran has imposed severe security measures and information controls. Iran has imposed a near-total internet blackout during the war, with connectivity at around 1% of normal levels, according to research from two sources. Authorities in Iran have seized Starlink devices and detained people for trading access, sharing information with foreign outlets, and hostile activities, according to authorities. There is increased security presence in Iranian cities with checkpoints, armed deployments, and nightly pro-government rallies, according to accounts and witnesses.
The Iran war is 'beyond the halfway point' but did not want to put a schedule on it.
Political statements from key leaders have highlighted deep diplomatic tensions and conflicting war aims. Donald Trump has issued conflicting statements on U.S. military objectives and the trajectory of the conflict, according to research from two sources. Iran has contradicted Trump, saying U.S. demands are 'unrealistic, illogical and excessive', according to an Iranian attribution. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the Iran war is 'beyond the halfway point' but did not want to put a schedule on it, according to his statement.
Regional proxy dynamics have seen limited involvement, contrary to some expectations. Hezbollah has fired rockets at Israel in support of Iran, according to research from two sources. Three UNIFIL peacekeepers were killed in Lebanon during IDF operations, research from seven sources indicates. However, Iran has no regional partners and is fighting alone, with its proxies strained or inactive, according to research from two sources.
Ceasefire efforts have failed, and the war disrupted nuclear negotiations that were nearing completion. The Trump administration proposed a 15-point ceasefire plan during Islamabad talks, which Iran rejected, according to research from seven sources. Operation Epic Fury began during active nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran, with a deal reportedly within reach days before, research from seven sources indicates.
Major naval engagements have marked the maritime dimension of the conflict. A U.S. submarine sank an Iranian Navy frigate south of Sri Lanka, killing 104 Iranian sailors, according to research from seven sources. Research from seven sources indicates that Iran hit a Kuwaiti oil tanker, Al Salmi, at Dubai port.
Russia has provided direct military support to Iran, altering the regional balance of power. Iran has received MiG-29 Su-35 fighter jets and Mil Mi-28 attack helicopters from Russia, according to research from seven sources.