Key Takeaways
- On February 28, 2026, Israel executed a “pre-emptive strike” against Iran in coordination with US forces
- President Trump acknowledged “major combat operations” targeting Iran were in progress
- Tehran shut down its entire airspace and threatened a “crushing” counterattack
- Supreme Leader Khamenei was evacuated to a protected site away from Tehran
- Washington simultaneously added Iran to its “state sponsor of wrongful detention” list
On February 28, 2026, Israel executed a pre-emptive military operation against Iran. An Israeli defense official speaking to Reuters confirmed the assault was conducted in full coordination with American forces.
President Donald Trump verified that American forces had initiated “major combat operations” targeting Iran. According to CNN’s reporting, the strikes concentrated on Iranian military installations.
The military action had been in development for several months. Israeli defense officials revealed that the specific timing was finalized weeks before execution.
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly announced the strike while simultaneously implementing emergency protocols nationwide. Officials indicated the emergency declaration anticipated potential Iranian retaliation.
Warning sirens echoed throughout Israel beginning around 08:15 local time. Citizens received mobile alerts characterizing the threat level as “extremely serious.”
AFP reporters stationed in Tehran documented two powerful explosions. Large columns of smoke billowed from Tehran’s central and eastern districts.
According to Iran’s Fars news agency, the “type of explosions suggests a missile attack.” Iranian authorities have not yet released comprehensive damage assessments.
Following the explosions, Iranian aviation authorities grounded all flights nationwide. The Civil Aviation Organisation issued the closure directive “until further notice.”
Tehran’s Reaction and Leadership Security
A senior Iranian official informed Reuters that the regime is organizing a “crushing” response. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, was relocated from Tehran to an undisclosed secure facility.
These strikes represent an escalation following a 12-day aerial conflict between the two nations in June 2025. Both Washington and Jerusalem had issued repeated warnings about striking Iranian nuclear and missile development facilities.
Washington Adds Iran to Detention Blacklist
Coinciding with the military strikes, the State Department designated Iran a “state sponsor of wrongful detention.” Iran becomes the inaugural nation placed on this blacklist, established through a Trump executive directive in September 2025.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded Iran release all detained American citizens. He indicated that US passport validity for Iranian travel could eventually be revoked.
Trump additionally demanded complete cessation of uranium enrichment activities in Iran, including civilian nuclear programs. This statement followed indirect negotiations in Geneva just one day earlier, where both parties claimed diplomatic advancement.
Oman’s Foreign Minister reported that Iran committed during those discussions to eliminate enriched uranium stockpiles. He characterized this pledge as a major diplomatic achievement potentially averting broader conflict.
Despite stating Friday he hadn’t reached a “final decision” regarding military action, Trump authorized operations that commenced by Saturday morning.
