Major Regional Conflict Erupts After US-Israeli Strikes on Iran

A major military operation initiated by the United States and Israel against Iran on Saturday, February 28, 2026, has escalated into a widespread regional conflict. The strikes reportedly resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other senior officials. In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, US military bases in Gulf Arab states, and other regional nations.

The conflict has led to casualties across the Middle East, disrupted international travel and energy markets, and prompted diplomatic warnings and evacuations.

Initiation of Strikes and Stated Objectives

The joint US-Israeli military operation commenced on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The United States designated its involvement as "Operation Epic Fury," while Israel referred to its part as "Operation Roaring Lion."

US President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" in Iran. He stated the objectives included defending Americans by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime, combating its missile and nuclear capabilities, and destroying its missile industry. He also encouraged Iranians to "take over your government."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the goals were to "remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran," "create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands," and achieve regime change. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the operation as a "preemptive attack" aimed at neutralizing threats against Israel.

The initial assault reportedly involved over 100 aircraft, B-2 stealth bombers, Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, and one-way attack drones.

US Central Command reported striking over 1,000 targets, including command centers and ballistic missile sites, within the first 24 hours of the operation. Intelligence gathering for the strikes reportedly utilized advanced AI-powered systems, real-time tracking, and previously compromised traffic cameras in Tehran. Strikes were conducted simultaneously in multiple locations to target leadership and military assets.

Death of Supreme Leader Khamenei and Iranian Leadership

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, was confirmed dead by Iranian state media following the strikes. He reportedly died in his Tehran office or compound.

Other senior Iranian officials confirmed killed included the Minister of Defense, the Head of the Armed Forces, the Head of the Revolutionary Guard, a top security adviser to Khamenei, and the Intelligence Chief.

An interim leadership council, which included President Masoud Pezeshkian and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, was formed to govern the country until a new supreme leader is chosen. Iran declared 40 days of national mourning and a seven-day public holiday. Public reactions in Tehran were reported as mixed, with some individuals expressing relief and others mourning.

Iranian Retaliation Across the Middle East

Following the initial US-Israeli strikes and the confirmed death of Supreme Leader Khamenei, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the Middle East. These attacks targeted Israel, US military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as other locations in Iraq, Syria, Oman, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

Israel

Missiles impacted areas including Tel Aviv and Beit Shemesh. Emergency services reported nine fatalities and 28 injuries in a strike on a synagogue in Beit Shemesh, and one woman died in the Tel Aviv area. Air raid sirens were activated across Israel.

Gulf States

• United Arab Emirates (UAE): Iranian ballistic missiles were intercepted. Debris from an interception reportedly killed one Asian migrant worker and caused damage in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, affecting the Burj Al Arab hotel and Dubai International Airport, where four staff members were injured. Amazon data centers were also reportedly hit.
• Kuwait: Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait International Airport, and the US Embassy compound were reportedly targeted. One person was killed in Kuwait. Three US F-15E fighter jets crashed in an apparent friendly fire incident involving Kuwaiti air defenses during active combat; all six crew members ejected safely.
• Bahrain: The US Navy's Fifth Fleet service center (Naval Support Activity Bahrain) was reportedly hit, though a US official stated it impacted an "empty warehouse" and a radar installation. Amazon data centers were also reportedly hit.
• Qatar: Al Udeid Air Base was targeted, and an Iranian missile was intercepted by a US Patriot air-defense system. Qatar's Ministry of Defense condemned the attacks as a violation of national sovereignty.
• Saudi Arabia: The Ras Tanura oil refinery was targeted by drones, causing a limited fire. The US Embassy in Riyadh sustained a "limited fire" following a drone attack.
• Oman: The commercial port of Duqm was hit by two drones, injuring a foreign worker.

Lebanon

The Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia launched drones and missiles into Israel, prompting Israeli retaliatory strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Lebanese authorities reported 52 deaths and 149 injuries from Israeli airstrikes.

Iraq

Pro-Iranian militias claimed drone attacks on the US embassy in Baghdad and US bases at Baghdad airport and Erbil. An unexploded Tomahawk warhead was reportedly found in Kirkuk.

Strait of Hormuz

Iran announced the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and gas exports. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have struck three US and UK oil tankers. A container ship was also attacked in the Strait.

Gulf of Oman

A bomb-carrying drone boat struck a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker, resulting in one mariner's death.

Casualties and Humanitarian Impact

United States

At least six US service members were reported killed in action. Three were killed in Iranian strikes on a US base in Kuwait, and five were seriously wounded. Four of those killed were identified as Capt. Cody A. Khork, Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, and Sgt. Declan J. Coady, assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, who died during a drone attack in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait.

Israel

A total of 11 fatalities were reported, including nine in Beit Shemesh.

Iran

The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported at least 787 fatalities across 153 cities from US-Israeli strikes. Iranian officials reported that a girls' school in Minab, southern Iran, was struck, resulting in at least 165 deaths, including over 100 children. The US military stated it was investigating these reports, while the Israeli military denied knowledge of strikes in that specific area.

Lebanon

52 deaths were reported from Israeli airstrikes.

United Arab Emirates

Three fatalities were reported from Iranian drone attacks.

Kuwait

One fatality was reported.

Other Casualties

One crew member on a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker was killed near Oman.

Military Operations and Capabilities

US Military Presence

Prior to the strikes, the US had amassed a significant military presence in the region, including over 50,000 troops, 200 fighter jets (F-35s, F-22s, F-15s, F-16s), two aircraft carriers (USS Abraham Lincoln, USS Gerald R. Ford), and additional destroyers, strategic bombers, and air defense systems.

Strike Operations

US B-2 stealth bombers reportedly struck Iran's ballistic missile facilities with 2,000-pound bombs. US forces claimed the destruction of 17 Iranian ships, including a submarine identified as Iran's "most operational," and stated they had "largely destroyed" Iran's naval headquarters and nine naval ships. Iran's claim of hitting the USS Abraham Lincoln was denied by the Pentagon.

Satellite imagery showed burning vessels at Konarak naval base, damage to nearby airbases, drone bases, and long-range missile tunnels in northern Iranian mountains. US Central Command released video footage depicting the destruction of an an Iranian airplane and a drone hangar.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, stated that the initial 24 hours of this joint operation surpassed the scale of the opening strikes of the 2003 Iraq War.

Air Defense

The US and regional nations deployed advanced air defenses, including Patriot, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and Aegis systems. These systems intercepted many attacks, but some projectiles penetrated defenses. Turkey reported that NATO defenses intercepted a ballistic missile from Iran.

Cyber Operations

Cyber operations reportedly disrupted Iranian communications and sensor networks.

Hezbollah Engagement

Israel conducted strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after the group launched drones and missiles into Israel.

Regional and International Responses

Diplomatic Actions & Travel

The US State Department ordered the evacuation of diplomatic missions and non-emergency personnel from Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, and Jordan. Embassies in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were closed or advised visitors to avoid them. Americans were advised to depart over a dozen Middle Eastern countries due to safety risks and narrowing travel options. The Trump administration reportedly facilitated evacuation flights for stranded Americans.

International Calls

The UN Secretary-General condemned the strikes and urged a peaceful resolution. The European Union called for "maximum restraint." China condemned Khamenei’s killing and and called for an immediate halt to military operations, while Russia described it as a "cynical murder." France expressed satisfaction regarding the death of the leader and urged an end to escalation. Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers urged Iran to halt attacks and asserted their right to self-defense. Britain, France, and Germany expressed readiness to defend their interests and coordinate with the US. The UK allowed the US to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missile storage depots or launchers. Australia supported US-Israeli actions, advised against travel to Iran, Israel, and Lebanon, and activated its Crisis Centre.

Public Protests

Protests against US-Israeli strikes occurred in Pakistan (resulting in 23 deaths and the torching of a UN office), Iraq (outside the US embassy), and across the US. Some Iranians were reported to celebrate Khamenei's death, while others mourned.

Economic and Societal Impact

Energy Markets

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil and natural gas exports, severely impacted global supplies. Oil and natural gas prices rose.

Iranian strikes on Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG export plant led to its shutdown. The Ras Tanura oil refinery in Saudi Arabia and the Ahmadi oil refinery in Kuwait were also targeted.

Travel Disruptions

Flight operations across the Middle East were disrupted, with extensive cancellations and airspace closures over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. Major airports like Dubai International Airport were damaged and shut down.

Internal Iran

A near-total internet blackout was reported. Public opposition in Iran, fueled by poor economic conditions and theocratic impositions, had led to mass protests prior to the strikes.

Business Impacts

Amazon reported that two data centers in the UAE and one in Bahrain were hit by drones, affecting operations.

Context and Operational Outlook

The operation followed weeks of US military buildup in the Middle East and tense, ultimately failed, negotiations regarding a potential nuclear deal with Iran. Previous US-Israeli strikes in June reportedly weakened Iran's air defenses and nuclear program.

President Trump stated that the US initiated strikes because he believed Iran was "going to attack first" and was nearing capabilities to produce missiles capable of reaching the US. President Trump initially suggested the operation could last "four weeks" or "four to five weeks," later stating the US was prepared for a longer duration and that the US "sets the pace." Admiral Brad Cooper indicated the operation was "ahead of our game plan."

Democrats in the US criticized the lack of congressional authorization for US actions. The Senate and House were scheduled to vote on resolutions requiring congressional approval for continued military campaigns. A senior US official indicated Iran was rebuilding nuclear infrastructure and developing high-quality centrifuges, despite Iran's claims of a peaceful program and blocked international inspections. Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed Iran was developing "new sites" for atomic bombs.

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that any new Iranian leader appointed to continue plans against Israel would be a target for elimination.

US officials signaled willingness to speak with Iran's new leadership.