The United States and Israel launched “major combat operations” against Iran on Saturday, February 28, 2026, with US President Donald Trump announcing the attacks were designed to eliminate “imminent threats” from the Iranian regime and prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that the strikes aimed to “remove the existential threat” posed by Iran, urging the Iranian people to overthrow their government. The US operation was dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” while Israel named its campaign “Operation Roaring Lion,” with both leaders describing their actions as pre-emptive strikes.

The initial strikes, which followed weeks of escalating tensions and inconclusive nuclear negotiations, targeted several Iranian cities. Explosions were reported across Tehran, the Iranian capital, with one apparent strike hitting near the offices of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Smoke was seen rising on the skyline, and roads to Khamenei’s compound were reportedly shut by authorities. Iran immediately closed its airspace.

In response, Iran launched a “crushing retaliation,” as an Iranian official stated, firing a “barrage of missiles” and drones at targets in Israel and US military bases across the Middle East. Explosions were heard in Israel, Bahrain (home to the US Fifth Fleet headquarters), Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and near Erbil airport in northern Iraq. The Israel Defense Forces reported working to intercept incoming Iranian missiles, while sirens sounded across Israel, and citizens were advised to stay near air raid shelters. Iranian state television reported seven “missile impacts” in Tehran's Keshvardoost and Pasteur districts, and one strike on a girls' school in Minab, Hormozgan province, allegedly killed 40 people. The UAE defense ministry confirmed intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles, but debris fell on a residential area in Abu Dhabi, causing material damage and killing one civilian of Asian nationality. A US official later reported no casualties from the strike on the US military base in Bahrain, stating that the US-approved airstrikes would last “not hours but days.”

The widespread conflict led to significant travel disruptions across the region. Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon, and parts of Saudi Arabia was closed. Numerous airlines, including British Airways, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Wizz Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, IndiGo, and Etihad Airways, canceled or suspended flights to and from destinations in the Middle East. Dubai's two airports, DXB and DWC, suspended all flight operations. The UK Foreign Office issued urgent travel advice for British nationals in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait, advising them to “immediately shelter in place” and avoid all travel. Additionally, the Foreign Office warned against all travel to Israel and Palestine due to the heightened risk of regional tension and escalation.

President Trump's address, delivered via video on social media, called the attacks “a noble mission,” asserting the need to destroy Iranian missiles and ensure the country cannot develop a nuclear weapon. He pledged “overwhelming strength and devastating force,” and appealed to the Iranian people to “take over your government” once the operation concluded, offering Iranian military forces “immunity” for surrender or “certain death” if they resisted. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu echoed calls for regime change. Critics, including Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, questioned the authorization of these acts of war by Congress. Commentators also drew parallels to the Iraq war, criticizing Trump's unprovoked actions, lack of clear goals, and the potential for long-term chaos and instability.

Internationally, reactions varied. The UK, while not participating in the initial strikes, convened a Cobra emergency committee chaired by Sir Keir Starmer. Britain deployed RAF Typhoons to Qatar and F-35s to Cyprus to protect allied military facilities and reiterated that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, prioritizing the safety of UK nationals and aiming to avoid a “wider regional conflict.” Kemi Badenoch, Britain's Conservative Party leader, supported the attacks, condemning Iran's “vile regime.” European leaders expressed alarm, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling for an urgent UN Security Council meeting and EU leaders urging maximum restraint. While acknowledging Iran's threats, European officials emphasized the protection of civilians and international humanitarian law.

Public responses included jubilant scenes outside the Iranian embassy in London, where protesters celebrated the US-Israeli attack, waving Iranian flags and pictures of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. A solidarity event in Manchester also saw hundreds gather to support regular Iranians and oppose the regime, chanting “no more Ayatollah.”

The conflict unfolded weeks after Iranian authorities had faced internal crackdowns on mass protests. The US had reportedly built up a large military presence, including two aircraft carrier strike groups, in the region in the weeks leading up to the attack.