US and Israel Launch Major Assault on Iran, Sparking Global Reactions
On February 28, 2026, a coordinated military strike by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran dramatically escalated tensions in the Middle East. The offensive, which targeted Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, along with other top regime and military commanders, drew swift and sharply divided international responses.
Escalation of Conflict
After weeks of escalating regional tensions, Israel and the US launched waves of attacks across the Islamic Republic. Targets included Iran’s military infrastructure, symbols of government, and intelligence facilities [Source: Times of Israel]. 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 [Source: Times of Israel], [Source: NBC News].
International Reactions
The international community responded with a mix of condemnation, and support. Russia strongly condemned the strikes, characterizing them as “a preplanned and unprovoked act of armed aggression” and accusing the US and Israel of using concerns about Iran’s nuclear program as a pretext [Source: Times of Israel]. The United Nations Secretary-General called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged a return to diplomatic negotiations.
Canada and Australia voiced support for the US action, citing concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its destabilizing role in the Middle East [Source: Fox News]. Several European governments, including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, expressed concern over civilian safety and called for dialogue to prevent a wider regional conflict.
Iraq’s Nujaba Movement declared full support for Iran, warning of broader confrontation if hostilities continue [Source: Times of Israel].
Iran’s Response and Claims
In response to the strikes, Iranian military forces launched missile and drone attacks targeting positions associated with US and Israeli military presence in the region. Iranian officials asserted their actions were lawful self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and vowed continued resistance [Source: Times of Israel]. Iran also called for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council to address alleged violations of international law.
Trump’s Statements
US President Donald Trump announced the beginning of “major combat operations in Iran,” stating the campaign aimed to prevent the Iranian regime from threatening US national security [Source: Times of Israel], [Source: NBC News]. Trump claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes, a claim disputed by Iranian state media [Source: NBC News], [Source: PBS].
Geopolitical Implications
The joint military operation has highlighted deep geopolitical divisions and raised questions about the legitimacy of unilateral military actions. The crisis tests the effectiveness of multilateral mechanisms designed to prevent and resolve armed conflict and reflects long-standing tensions over the interpretation and application of international law.