February 28, 2026 – Tehran/Washington: In a dramatic escalation that threatens to engulf the entire Middle East, the United States and Israel have launched coordinated military strikes against Iran, targeting locations across the country including the capital Tehran. The operation, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury" by the Pentagon and "Roaring Lion" by Israel, represents the most significant military confrontation between the West and Iran in decades .

At approximately 9:27 AM local time (06:27 GMT), explosions began rocking Tehran, with witnesses reporting multiple blasts near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) headquarters, and other strategic locations across the city . Within hours, Iran retaliated with a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting American military installations across the region.

The Strikes: Targets and Tactics

The scale and coordination of the attack is unprecedented. According to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, the strikes were launched as a "preemptive attack" intended to "remove threats to the State of Israel" . The operation involved dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets including F-35s and F-15s, striking what the IDF described as "dozens of military targets" .

US military involvement was confirmed shortly after Israel's initial strikes. According to CNN, US officials described the American contribution as "not a small strike" and confirmed that dozens of strikes were being carried out by attack planes based at locations around the Middle East, including aircraft carriers . The US deployed F-22 fighter jets and KC-46 tankers to Israel in advance of the operation .

Trump's Declaration: "Major Combat Operations"

In a video posted to his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had begun "major combat operations" in Iran, describing them as "massive and ongoing" . The message was characteristically direct and ominous.

Trump also issued a stark warning to Iranian military personnel: lay down your weapons and receive amnesty, or face "certain death" . He acknowledged that US forces could face casualties, stating, "The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But we're doing this not for now. We're doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission" .

The president's rhetoric suggested broader ambitions beyond simple military objectives. "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take," Trump said, addressing the Iranian people directly. "This will be, probably, your only chance for generations" . This language has raised concerns that the US may be pursuing regime change as an ultimate goal.

Iran's Retaliation: Missiles Rain on US Bases

Iran did not wait long to respond. Within hours of the initial strikes, Iranian ballistic missiles were raining down on US military installations across the Middle East. The targeted facilities represent some of America's most important strategic positions in the region .

Iranian media reported that between 30 and 75 missiles were launched at Israel alone, with additional strikes targeting "the whole of Palestine" . Air raid sirens blared continuously across Israel, and the military urged civilians to stay near bomb shelters. In Qatar, officials confirmed intercepting two Iranian missiles over the country .

Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament's national security commission, issued a defiant statement: "We warned you! Now you have started down a path whose end is no longer in your control" . Iranian state media declared that all Israeli and US interests in the region were now considered legitimate targets.

Where is Khamenei? The Mystery of Iran's Supreme Leader

One of the most pressing questions as strikes began was the whereabouts of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The 86-year-old leader, who holds ultimate authority in Iran's political system, has not been seen publicly in days as tensions mounted. Roads to his compound in downtown Tehran were shut down by authorities as explosions rang out across the capital .

While Khamenei's location remains unknown, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quoted a source in the presidential office as saying that President Masoud Pezeshkian was unharmed . The whereabouts of other senior Iranian officials, including IRGC commanders, remain unclear.

Regional Fallout: Israel on War Footing

Israel has placed itself on a complete war footing. The government declared a nationwide state of emergency, closed its airspace to all flights, and urged civilians to remain near bomb shelters . The Israeli military confirmed that Iran had launched missiles at multiple locations across Israel, triggering air raid sirens in Jerusalem and other cities.

The Israeli operation—codenamed "Roaring Lion"—represents a significant escalation from previous conflicts. Unlike the 12-day war in June 2025, this appears to be a sustained, coordinated campaign with American backing. Israeli officials have stated that the operation will continue for "several days" .

Historical Context: 73 Years After Mosaddegh

The timing and rhetoric of this operation carry heavy historical weight. Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher, reporting from Washington, noted that Trump appeared to be setting "the table for a revolution in Iran"—73 years after the CIA orchestrated the 1953 coup against democratically elected Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh .

What Happens Next?

As the conflict enters its first hours, the trajectory remains dangerously uncertain. US officials have confirmed this is a "multiday operation" . With Iran already retaliating against American bases, the potential for escalation is immense. The conflict could draw in other regional actors, disrupt global oil supplies, and potentially lead to direct great power confrontation.

For now, the world watches as Operation Epic Fury unfolds—a military campaign that could reshape the Middle East for generations to come. Whether it achieves its stated objectives or spirals into a wider regional war remains to be seen. What is certain is that February 28, 2026, will be remembered as a turning point in the long and troubled history of US-Iran relations.