TLDR
- Israel launched a “pre-emptive strike” on Iran on February 28, 2026, coordinated with the US
- US President Trump confirmed “major combat operations” are underway in Iran
- Iran closed its airspace and is preparing a “crushing” retaliation
- Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei was moved to a secure location outside Tehran
- The US designated Iran a “state sponsor of wrongful detention” on the same day
Israel launched a pre-emptive military strike on Iran on February 28, 2026. The attack was coordinated with the United States, an Israeli defence official confirmed to Reuters.
BREAKING: Israel launches "pre-emptive strike" on Iran, defense minister says; explosions in Tehranpic.twitter.com/XtibkGYeG4
— BNO News (@BNONews) February 28, 2026
US President Donald Trump confirmed that the US had launched “major combat operations” in Iran. CNN reported the strikes are focused on military targets.
The operation was planned for months. The final launch date was decided weeks in advance, according to the Israeli defence official.
BREAKING:
Israel is currently striking Iran’s capital, Tehran. pic.twitter.com/xQ3lZSQm5h
— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) February 28, 2026
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz announced the strike and declared a state of emergency across Israel. The move was described as anticipating retaliatory strikes from Iran.
Sirens sounded across Israel at around 08:15 local time. Residents received phone alerts warning of an “extremely serious” threat.
BREAKING: Bitcoin falls below $64,000 as Israel launches strikes on Iran.
Over $100 million worth of levered longs have been liquidated in 15 minutes. pic.twitter.com/S4SibWkks3
— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) February 28, 2026
Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran by AFP journalists. Two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.
Iran’s Fars news agency said the “type of explosions suggests a missile attack.” Iran has not immediately confirmed the full extent of damage.
Iran closed its airspace across the entire country following the blasts. The Civil Aviation Organisation announced the closure “until further notice.”
Iran’s Response and Leadership
An Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran is preparing a “crushing” retaliation. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was moved out of Tehran to a secure location.
The strikes follow a 12-day air war between Israel and Iran in June 2025. The US and Israel had repeatedly warned they would strike if Iran continued its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
US Designates Iran Over Wrongful Detention
On the same day, the US designated Iran a “state sponsor of wrongful detention.” It is the first country placed on this blacklist, created by a Trump executive order in September 2025.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Iran to release all Americans it holds. He warned that US passports could eventually be declared invalid for travel to Iran.
Trump also stated he wants zero uranium enrichment in Iran, even for civilian purposes. This came one day after indirect US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva, where both sides said progress had been made.
Oman’s Foreign Minister said Iran agreed during those talks to never stockpile enriched uranium. He called it a breakthrough that could prevent war.
Trump said on Friday he had not made a “final decision” on strikes. By Saturday morning, operations were underway.
