U.S. and Israel Launch Sweeping Airstrikes Against Iran's Military, Political Leadership

U.S. and Israeli forces launched coordinated airstrikes against Iran on Feb. 28, 2026.

“The outbreak of conflict between Israel and the United States against Iran, triggered by joint US-Israeli strikes across Iran, has drawn frantic calls for calm as deep consternation spreads across globe”

Al Jazeera

Both governments framed the operation as aimed at dismantling Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities and removing perceived existential threats.

Al Jazeera

NBC News reported that "The U.S. and Israel launched strikes targeting key Iranian leaders and Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs."

WGBH noted the operation involved fighter jets striking "dozens of military targets" in coordination with U.S. forces.

International Business Times Australia described the campaign as targeting "senior leadership targets, military facilities and nuclear sites."

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks against regional targets, including U.S. bases and Israel, prompting reports of interceptions and some damage across Gulf states.

NBC News said 'Iran retaliated with missile attacks on U.S. bases and regional targets; allies (Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, UAE) reported interceptions and some damage.'

AL-Monitor

International Business Times Australia reported that 'Iran launched ballistic missile barrages at northern Israel and U.S. bases in Gulf Arab states.'

Devdiscourse likewise noted Iran 'responded with missile strikes, escalating violence across the Middle East.'

Multiple outlets described the operation's scale and military posture, saying officials characterized it as unusually large and highly coordinated.

“US and Israel attack Iran as Trump says US begins 'major combat operations' The U”

annahar

International Business Times Australia reported the operation "involved more than 500 aircraft, including U.S. carrier groups and unusually large fuel support for deep strikes" and said officials described it as the largest non-war military deployment in recent history.

NPR and WGBH reported fighter jets were operating in "full synchronization and coordination" with U.S. forces.

The Singju Post quoted President Trump saying the U.S. had "begun major combat operations against Iran."

The strikes and counterstrikes produced civilian harm and wide disruption across the region, though casualty figures were disputed and not independently verified.

NBC News reported infrastructure damage in Bahrain and at least one civilian death in Abu Dhabi from falling debris.

Bloomberg Government News

International Business Times Australia noted Iran’s state media (IRNA) said an elementary school was hit and claimed at least five civilian deaths, though independent verification was not immediately available.

NPR warned that casualty tallies and claims had inconsistent sourcing and that some reports were unverified.

Political and diplomatic fallout was immediate: U.S. leaders framed the strikes as defensive and urged Iranians to rise up.

“✕ Home News Analysis Agro-Forestry Art & Culture Technology Economy & Business Education Energy & Extractives Politics Law & Governance Health Science & Environment Social & Gender Sports Transport Urban Development WASH Research LogIn/SignUp Close the sidebar US and Israel Launch Major Strike on Iran: A New Chapter in Middle East Conflict The United States and Israel have launched a significant attack on Iran, aimed at weakening its regime and encouraging public uprising”

Devdiscourse

U.S. lawmakers and international bodies sought clarity and de-escalation.

Devdiscourse

The Singju Post reported President Trump urged Iran’s security forces to surrender in exchange for 'complete immunity' and called on ordinary Iranians to rise up and overthrow their government once bombing stops.

NPR reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the aim was to 'remove an existential threat'.

VPM flagged domestic contention that the strikes were launched without formal congressional approval, creating deep divisions among U.S. lawmakers.

Significant uncertainty and conflicting claims remain, with state media, anonymous officials and national governments offering differing accounts of targets, casualties and leadership impacts.

Outlook India reported that Reuters said Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had been moved to a secure location.

Devdiscourse said strikes reportedly hit areas near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s offices.

International Business Times Australia added that several casualty and target claims came from state or anonymous officials and were not independently verified at the time of reporting.

Where the sources conflict or lack confirmation, the reporting remains ambiguous.