US and Israel Launch Major Assault on Iran, Escalating Middle East Conflict

After weeks of escalating tensions, the United States and Israel launched a major joint strike on Iran on Saturday, February 28, 2026, targeting key leadership and military sites. The attacks have triggered a retaliatory response from Iran, expanding the conflict across the Middle East and raising concerns about a wider regional war.

Initial Strikes and Targets

The coordinated attacks began shortly after 8 a.m. Israel time, with strikes targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to an Israeli official as reported by the Times of Israel. Other targets included Iran’s military infrastructure, symbols of government, and intelligence facilities. Several senior Revolutionary Guards commanders and political officials were reportedly killed, including the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, and Iranian defense minister Aziz Nasirzadeh (Times of Israel).

US Involvement and Objectives

US President Donald Trump announced the US had begun “major combat operations in Iran,” stating the campaign aimed to prevent the Iranian regime from threatening US national security interests (Times of Israel). Trump too indicated a goal of regime change, calling on the Iranian people to rise up and form a new government (The New Yorker).

Iranian Retaliation and Regional Escalation

In response to the attacks, Iran launched waves of ballistic missiles towards Israel, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC also reported attacks on four US air bases in Qatar (Al Udeid), Kuwait (Al Salem), the United Arab Emirates (Al Dhafra), and Bahrain (the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet) (AP News).

Explosions were reported in several cities across the region, including Manama (Bahrain), Kuwait City, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). The UAE condemned the attacks as a violation of national sovereignty and international law, reserving the right to respond (AP News).

An explosion was also reported at the US Al Harir air base in northern Iraq, attributed to missile launches by pro-Iranian militias. Initial reports indicated a direct hit on the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain (AP News).

US Troop Movements and Preparations

The US military has been redeploying troops and bolstering defenses in the region. ABC News reported the redeployment of hundreds of troops to a major military base in Qatar, Al Udeid, the largest US base in the Middle East (AP News).

Supreme Leader’s Status

President Trump announced that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attacks (PBS NewsHour). This claim has not been independently verified, but represents a significant escalation in the conflict.

Looking Ahead

The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation. Iran has warned that any military action against it will be considered an act of war and has vowed to respond forcefully to any aggression. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the conflict can be contained or will spiral into a wider regional war.