U.S., Israel Launch Major Attack on Iran

Coordinated U.S.-Israel strikes Iran

On Feb. 28, 2026 multiple outlets reported that U.S. and Israeli forces carried out coordinated strikes inside Iran that struck sites in and around Tehran and other cities.

Israeli officials described the hits as military and intelligence targets and U.S. officials framed the actions as intended to eliminate "imminent threats," while witnesses and state media reported explosions and smoke over Tehran.

Coverage described the operation variously as preemptive or part of a broader campaign and noted early confusion about the full scope and attribution of individual strikes.

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Operation names and aims

Multiple reports said the operation had been planned and coordinated over months. Some outlets said participants gave the campaign names. Israeli sources reportedly called the campaign "Lion’s Roar".

U.S. officials reportedly referred to actions under the label "Operation Epic Fury" or described them as "major combat operations." Several outlets emphasized that planners prioritized degrading Iran’s missile, naval and nuclear-related infrastructure. Some coverage said planners also sought to target regime and political centers alongside military facilities.

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Iran-Israel military exchange

Iran responded immediately with air-raid sirens, closures of national airspace and missile and drone launches toward Israel and across the Gulf. Regional air defenses and allied forces reported multiple interceptions. Israeli authorities declared a nationwide state of emergency and imposed strict civil restrictions as air defenses engaged incoming projectiles, while U.S. and other embassies in the region warned staff to shelter in place amid what several outlets described as a rapid and widening military exchange.

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Conflicting strike reports

Reports of civilian harm and senior‑leadership hits were numerous but inconsistent across outlets, and independent verification remained limited. Iranian sources alleged strikes hit locations near or at high‑level offices and reported heavy casualties, including a claim that a girls’ elementary school in Minab was struck with dozens of students killed. Other international outlets cautioned the casualty figures, and some senior‑leader death reports were unconfirmed by independent agencies, creating a direct contradiction between the Iranian claims and international reporting.

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International reaction to strikes

Global reactions ranged from calls for restraint to alarm over the risk of a wider regional war.

The U.N. Secretary‑General condemned the escalation and urged respect for international law, and several governments warned of grave consequences.

Airlines and aviation authorities closed airspace or cancelled flights.

Observers and some officials warned the strikes could produce a prolonged campaign with heavy military, political and humanitarian costs.

Reporting across outlets emphasized uncertainty about the operation’s full aims, duration and legal justification.

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