U.S. and Israel Unleash Intense Air War on Iran, Surprise Europe

Sources report that the United States and Israel launched an unprecedented, high-intensity air campaign against Iran beginning on Saturday, February 28, and continuing for several days.

“Matthias Matthijs is senior fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations”

Council on Foreign Relations

Le Monde characterises the strikes as an operation of a scale not seen in recent memory and says the two militaries "have been unleashing colossal force against the Iranian regime,"

Council on Foreign Relations

The Council on Foreign Relations says "The speed and scale of last weekend’s U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran took most European governments by surprise."

Reporting indicates close operational cooperation and a significant U.S. role alongside Israeli forces.

Le Monde quotes U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth praising an "operational steamroller" and saying "[The Iranians] are burned," and records Hegseth giving the military "a few days" to seize control of Iranian airspace.

Le Monde

Le Monde also reports the campaign aims to "destroy Iran's launchers and missile factories" and that Hegseth spoke of using laser‑guided bombs up to 2,000 pounds.

The Council on Foreign Relations emphasises that the United States launched the operation "with little to no consultation with its allies in Europe" and was "expecting to use their bases and receive their broad support."

European governments were caught off guard and have responded unevenly.

“Matthias Matthijs is senior fellow for Europe at the Council on Foreign Relations”

Council on Foreign Relations

The Council on Foreign Relations says European leaders "found themselves scrambling to react" and calls the result a "strikingly disjointed European response."

CFR notes the United Kingdom pursued a "carefully balanced transatlantic posture, opting to combine criticism of the Iranian regime with calls for de‑escalation," a stance CFR says "made nobody at home happy and invited the ire of U.S."

Le Monde adds that U.S. officials did not "clarify the Trump administration's objective," contributing to uncertainty in capitals.

Observers also flag grave civilian‑risk and political consequences.

Le Monde explicitly raises "serious questions about the number of civilian casualties the Trump administration is prepared to accept," noting officials' talk of using heavy precision bombs and even strikes "including against political targets in Tehran."

Le Monde

The Council on Foreign Relations highlights that Europe's lack of leverage and the U.S. decision‑making process—"leaving Europe in the dark"—exacerbate diplomatic strains and complicate efforts to manage humanitarian and escalation risks.