On 28 February 2026, the longstanding tensions between Tehran, Jerusalem and Washington erupted into a major military confrontation: the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iranian military and regime targets, and Iran responded with waves of ballistic missiles and drones aimed at Israel and U.S. bases across the region.
Joint Offensive by US and Israel
Early on Saturday, Israeli forces announced a pre-emptive strike on Iranian territory, with explosions reported in and around Tehran. The Israeli Defence Forces said the operation had been coordinated with the U.S., targeting Iranian military infrastructure and strategic sites. Both nations described the operation as necessary to pre-empt what they see as an imminent threat from Tehran, particularly linked to its nuclear and missile programmes. [oai_citation:0‡Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-says-it-launched-pre-emptive-attack-against-iran-2026-02-28/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the beginning of “major combat operations” and posted a video address urging Iranians to seize control of their destiny and overthrow the current regime. While exact quotes are still being verified by major outlets, multiple reports confirm Trump’s appeal was framed as both a strategic military action and an opportunity for internal change in Iran. [oai_citation:1‡The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/28/israel-launches-attack-on-iran-as-explosions-heard-in-tehran?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
Iran’s Retaliation
In swift response to the airstrikes, Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles and armed drones towards Israel and U.S. military bases stationed throughout the Gulf region. Iranian state media and regional reports indicate these counter-attacks struck targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and prompted airspace closures and heightened air-defence alerts in several countries. oai_citation:2‡The Guardian
Israel activated its multi-layered air-defence systems to intercept inbound missiles and rockets, and the Israeli military confirmed explosions and alert sirens across parts of the country. oai_citation:3‡DIE WELT
Regional and International Impact
The escalation marks one of the most significant outbreaks of violence in the Middle East in decades, effectively marking a new phase in the ongoing Iran-U.S. confrontation and the Iran–Israel war. Regional airspaces have been restricted, international diplomatic efforts are struggling to contain the fallout, and global markets are reacting to heightened uncertainty. oai_citation:4‡t-online
Western allies and international bodies have reacted with concern. While some governments have condemned the strikes, others have urged restraint and adherence to international law, especially as the conflict threatens to broaden beyond the immediate belligerents. oai_citation:5‡The Guardian
Prospects for Escalation or Ceasefire
Political and military analysts warn that continued tit-for-tat strikes could lead to a prolonged regional conflict. Others note that diplomatic avenues had been active until very recently—including negotiations involving Iran’s nuclear programme—suggesting that peace efforts were still possible before this latest escalation. oai_citation:6‡t-online
At the time of writing, fighting continues, and it remains uncertain whether a ceasefire or broader international intervention could soon halt the violence.
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