Key Points Summary
- On February 28, 2026, Israel executed a coordinated “pre-emptive strike” against Iran with US support
- President Trump authorized “major combat operations” targeting Iranian territory
- Tehran closed all national airspace and promised “crushing” retaliation
- Supreme Leader Khamenei was evacuated to a protected facility beyond Tehran
- Washington simultaneously labeled Iran a “state sponsor of wrongful detention”
On February 28, 2026, Israel executed a coordinated pre-emptive military operation against Iran. An Israeli defence official speaking to Reuters confirmed the strike was planned jointly with American forces.
President Donald Trump authorized “major combat operations” targeting Iran, with CNN sources indicating the strikes concentrated on military installations.
According to the Israeli defence official, operational planning spanned several months. The specific execution date was finalized weeks before the attack commenced.
Israel Katz, the country’s Defence Minister, publicly announced the offensive and implemented emergency protocols nationwide. Officials characterized these measures as precautionary steps ahead of anticipated Iranian countermeasures.
Around 08:15 local time, warning sirens blared throughout Israel. Citizens received mobile notifications characterizing the threat level as “extremely serious.”
AFP journalists in Tehran reported hearing two significant explosions. Observers witnessed two substantial smoke plumes rising from central and eastern sections of Iran’s capital city.
According to Iran’s Fars news agency, the “type of explosions suggests a missile attack.” Iranian authorities have not yet disclosed comprehensive damage assessments.
Following the explosions, Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation shut down the nation’s entire airspace. The closure remains in effect “until further notice.”
Tehran’s Reaction and Leadership Movement
A senior Iranian official informed Reuters that Tehran is organizing a “crushing” counterattack. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, was transferred from Tehran to an undisclosed secure compound.
This military action follows a 12-day aerial conflict between the two nations in June 2025. Both Washington and Jerusalem had issued repeated warnings threatening strikes if Iran persisted with nuclear enrichment and ballistic missile development.
Washington Blacklists Iran for Wrongful Detentions
Coinciding with the military operation, the United States formally designated Iran a “state sponsor of wrongful detention.” Iran becomes the inaugural nation added to this blacklist, established through a Trump executive order issued in September 2025.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded the immediate release of all American citizens detained in Iran. He indicated that future restrictions could invalidate US passports for Iranian travel.
Trump separately demanded complete cessation of uranium enrichment activities in Iran, including civilian programs. This statement came just 24 hours after indirect American-Iranian negotiations in Geneva, where both delegations reported constructive progress.
Oman’s Foreign Minister revealed that Iran committed during Geneva discussions to permanently halt enriched uranium stockpiling. He characterized this agreement as a significant diplomatic breakthrough with potential to avert broader conflict.
On Friday, Trump stated no “final decision” had been reached regarding military action. By Saturday morning, combat operations had commenced.
