U.S. And Israel Strikes on Iran Prompt Shelter-in-Place Advisories in Middle East

U.S. Citizens in several Middle Eastern countries have been advised to shelter in place following strikes by the U.S. And Israel against Iran on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The U.S. Department of State and embassies in the region issued the guidance as airspace closures were implemented across the area.

Shelter-in-Place Orders and Airspace Closures

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, along with related embassies, posted on X (formerly Twitter) advising U.S. Citizens in Iran, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar to shelter in place until further notice. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem directed all U.S. Government employees and their families to do the same, coinciding with the closure of Israeli airspace to all civilian flights. February 28, 2026 marks the 59th day of the year.

Several countries, including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, have closed their airspaces, leading to significant disruptions in air travel. Flightradar24 data showed aircraft departing the region, and approximately 230 of 3,400 scheduled flights were cancelled as of 12 p.m. Central European Time, with an additional 40 flights preemptively cancelled for Sunday. Almanac.com confirms this is a Saturday.

President Trump’s Statement

In a video statement released on social media, President Donald Trump vowed to destroy Iran’s missile program and navy, stating the objective of the strikes was to “defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats.” He acknowledged the potential for casualties, stating, “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war.”

Observed Events on February 28th

Aside from the geopolitical events unfolding, February 28th is recognized for a variety of observances, including National Chocolate Souffle Day, Tooth Fairy Day, National Essay Day, and National Science Day. EventGuide lists 38 events occurring on this date in 2026.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.