US and Israel Launch Coordinated Military Strikes Against Iran
The United States and Israel executed a significant joint military operation against Iran on Saturday, February 28, 2026. President Donald Trump confirmed American involvement in what he described as a large-scale effort to dismantle Iran's military infrastructure and prevent the nation from developing nuclear weapons. The strikes targeted various Iranian facilities, including symbols of government and intelligence sites, according to an anonymous official briefed on the operation.
Initial Attacks and Immediate Aftermath
Explosions were reported in Tehran early Saturday morning, with one of the first strikes hitting near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The whereabouts of Khamenei at the time remained unclear, as he had not been seen publicly for several days. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later stated to NBC News that both Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were alive, to the best of his knowledge.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz characterized the attacks as necessary to eliminate threats. The assault resulted in significant casualties, with Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reporting at least 57 fatalities and 45 injuries at a girls' school in southern Iran due to the Israeli-U.S. strikes. Additionally, shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the capital of the United Arab Emirates claimed one life, according to state media.
Iran's Retaliatory Measures
In response, Iran launched counterattacks, firing drones and missiles at Israel and targeting U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. Bahrain confirmed a missile attack aimed at the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters, while witnesses reported sirens and explosions in Kuwait, home to U.S. Army Central. Explosions were also heard in Qatar, where Al Udeid Air Base hosts thousands of American service members.
The conflict prompted several nations to close their airspace, including Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, with sirens sounding in Jordan as a precaution. In Israel, an apartment building in the north sustained damage, and shrapnel fell in multiple locations, though authorities reported no significant hits or injuries from the missile barrages.
Trump's Call for Regime Change
President Trump delayed his official announcement of U.S. involvement for over an hour, eventually releasing an 8-minute video on social media. In his address, Trump expanded the rationale for the strikes beyond nuclear concerns, citing historical grievances dating back to the 1979 Iranian Revolution. He directly urged Iranian citizens to take cover initially and then rise up to overthrow the Islamic leadership.
"When we are finished, take over your government," Trump declared. "It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations." This statement came a day after Trump expressed frustration over stalled negotiations to curb Iran's nuclear capabilities.
Military Buildup and Regional Tensions
The strikes followed months of planning between the U.S. and Israel, as reported by Israeli officials. Prior to the attack, the U.S. had significantly increased its military presence in the region, deploying warships and fighter jets to pressure Iran into a nuclear agreement. This buildup included the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and three guided-missile destroyers arriving in January, followed by the USS Gerald R. Ford and four destroyers from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, adding over 10,000 troops to the area.
Meanwhile, Iranian-backed Houthi officials in Yemen, speaking anonymously, vowed to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and Israel, further escalating regional tensions.
Impact on Air Travel and Global Response
The military conflict severely disrupted commercial air travel across the Middle East. Israel and the United Arab Emirates closed their airspace, affecting major carriers like Emirates and Etihad. Qatar Airways temporarily canceled flights to and from Doha due to airspace closures, while planes en route to Israel were rerouted.
International airlines adjusted their operations in response. Virgin Atlantic canceled a flight from London's Heathrow Airport to Dubai and announced avoidance of Iraqi airspace, potentially lengthening travel times to destinations like India and the Maldives. Turkish Airlines suspended flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan until Monday, with additional suspensions for Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, and Oman on Saturday. Dutch airline KLM had previously stated it would suspend Tel Aviv flights starting Sunday.
The joint strikes underscore heightened geopolitical risks in the Middle East, with ongoing military actions and diplomatic maneuvers shaping the conflict's trajectory.
