US, Israel launch strikes on Iran, begin ‘major combat operations’
Explosions heard in Tehran as Israel declares state of emergency; Channel 12 reports US involvement
ISTANBUL
Explosions were heard in Tehran on Saturday, with thick smoke seen rising over parts of the city, as the Israeli defense minister said Israel launched a "preemptive" strike against Iran.
Explosions rocked Tehran as Israel’s defense minister said a 'preemptive' strike was launched against Iran, with sirens sounding across Israel and a nationwide state of emergency declared
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) February 28, 2026
Channel 12 reports the US and Israel acted jointly, despite ongoing nuclear diplomacy, days… pic.twitter.com/Z2NBu5g2iN
Sirens also sounded across Israel, which declared a “special and immediate” state of emergency across the country that includes a prohibition on educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, except for essential sectors.
Israel's Channel 12 said the US and Israel launched the attack jointly.
Israel and the US have carried out joint strikes on Iran, with explosions reported in Tehran amid heavy air activity and sirens sounding across Israel pic.twitter.com/rmIrBRFq4I
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) February 28, 2026
The strikes come amid diplomatic efforts between US and Iranian officials for a deal on Iran’s nuclear program.
Badr Albusaidi, Oman's foreign minister, who mediated the talks, met US Vice President JD Vance on Friday. “I am grateful for their engagement and look forward to further and decisive progress in the coming days. Peace is within our reach,” he wrote on US social media company X after the meeting.
Israeli strikes kill, wound Revolutionary Guard personnel as Iran vows response
Initial Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday killed and wounded numerous Revolutionary Guard personnel, including key operational staff, ISNA news agency reported, citing a source.
Further explosions followed the strikes in the cities of Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Lorestan, the Mehr news agency said, indicating the attacks extended beyond the capital.
Senior Iranian officials were also targeted in the Israeli attack on Tehran, according to Israeli media reports.
Israeli Channel 12 said Israel is preparing in the initial phase for four days of intense joint attacks on Iran, citing a security official.
In response, Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliament National Security Committee, said in a post on US social media company X: “We warned you! Now you have started down a path which end is no longer in your control.”
Tehran hospitals declare emergency after strikes.
Health Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanipour told the official IRNA news agency that emergency measures were activated following explosions across parts of the capital.
Trump announces 'major combat operations' in Iran to 'protect Americans'
As explosions rocked Tehran and Israel announced "preemptive" strikes against Iran, US President Donald Trump also confirmed launching "major combat operations" in the Islamic republic.
🔴 US President Donald Trump announces that the United States military begins major combat operations in Iran
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) February 28, 2026
🗣️ He says Washington’s objective is to 'defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime'
➡️ The strike occurs despite ongoing… pic.twitter.com/AnR4cr76L2
“A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Trump said in a video posted on his Truth Social account.
“Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world,” he added.
The president vowed to destroy Iran's missiles, raze its missile industry to the ground and annihilate the navy, reiterating that it cannot have a nuclear weapon.
“We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated,” Trump said.
“We're going to ensure that the region's terrorist proxies can no longer destabilize the region or the world and attack our forces and no longer use their IEDs or roadside bombs, as they are sometimes called, to so gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans,” Trump added, stressing that they will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.
Citing attacks including the 1979 US embassy takeover in Tehran, the 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing that killed 241 Americans, the 2000 USS Cole attack, Trump said. “Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq.”
“The regime's proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as US naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes,” he added.
“It's been mass terror,” Trump said. “We're not going to put up with it any longer. From Lebanon to Yemen and Syria to Iraq, the regime has armed, trained, and funded terrorist militias.”
The president called Iran “the world's number one state sponsor of terror,” and said that it just recently “killed tens of thousands of its own citizens on the street as they protested.”
Trump said it has always been US policy, especially under his administration, that “this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon.”
He cited Operation Midnight Hammer last June, which “obliterated the regime's nuclear program at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan,” adding that the US warned Iran not to resume its nuclear efforts while attempting negotiations.
“They've rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can't take it anymore,” Trump said, adding that Iran attempted to rebuild their nuclear program and to continue developing long-range missiles that can “now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland.”
“For these reasons, the United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests,” he declared.
Trump said his administration has taken “every possible step to minimize the risk to US personnel,” and that “the Iranian regime seeks to kill.”
“The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war,” he said.
Addressing the Iranian people, Trump said: “I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don't leave your home,” adding: “It's very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere.”
“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” Trump said.
He also urged Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards, armed forces and police to lay down their arms and have immunity, or face “certain death.”
Later, in a post on US social media company X, the Department of War wrote “OPERATION EPIC FURY,” referring to the operation’s code name.
The attacks come as talks over Iran’s nuclear program have been ongoing under Oman’s mediation. A new round of talks in Geneva ended on Thursday.
Last June, the US struck three Iranian nuclear sites towards the end of the 12-day Israel-Iran war.
Cyberattacks hit Iranian news sites, including IRNA, amid Israel-US strikes
Cyberattacks have targeted multiple news sites and local apps in Iran, the IRNA news agency, which was also affected, said on Saturday, as the US and Israel launched attacks on the Islamic republic.
While IRNA's website was inaccessible, others reported disruptions and there were internet outages.
Internet monitor NetBlocks confirmed "Iran is now in the midst of a near-total internet blackout with national connectivity at 4%."
Explosions heard in northern Israel after missiles launched from Iran
Explosions were heard in the Haifa area in northern Israel on Saturday following launches from Iran, Israeli news outlet Ynet reported.
💥 Explosions heard in the Haifa area in northern Israel following launches from Iran
Earlier, air raid sirens sounded in several areas across Israel after missiles were identified as launched from Iran toward the country, the Israeli army said.
➡️ Iran’s Revolutionary Guards says launched 1st large-scale wave of missile and drone strikes toward Israel
➡️ Israel launched attack against Iran early Saturday under the name ‘Lion’s Roar’… pic.twitter.com/iZ3N1sCfir
Sirens sound in Jordan, Bahrain after Iranian missile launches
Sirens sounded in Jordan and Bahrain on Saturday after missiles were launched from Iran toward Israel following Israeli and US attacks, officials said.
🚨 Several explosions reported in Bahrain amid confrontation following Israeli and US airstrikes in Iran
➡️ Bahrain says the service center of the US Fifth Fleet was subjected to a missile attack https://t.co/6bRBMqcUAz pic.twitter.com/Sa5VqGGDkV
In Bahrain, the Interior Ministry urged citizens and residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place after sirens were activated across the country.
The ministry also called on the public to use main roads only when necessary to maintain public safety and allow authorities to operate efficiently.
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