On Saturday, February 28, 2026, Israel and the United States launched a joint military operation against Iran. The attack, referred to as preventive, began in the morning local time. The Israeli army called the operation "The Screaming Lion".
Israeli and American forces hit key targets in Tehran, Isfahan, Qom and other cities. Military installations, facilities related to the nuclear programme and headquarters of the highest authorities were attacked – including complexes related to Ayatollah Ali Chamenei, President and Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to reports, several senior commanders and officials of the regime were killed.
President Donald Trump confirmed the launch of the "major combat operations" (large combat operations) and urged the Iranians to overthrow the current government. "This is an opportunity for the Iranian people to free themselves," he said.
Iran responded immediately. He fired dozens of ballistic missiles towards Israel – explosions and defense systems were heard in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. At the same time, US military bases were attacked in the Gulf countries (e.g. Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait).
The situation in the region is extremely tense and dynamic. This is the biggest direct confrontation with Iran in many years.
Trump announces the beginning of the war with Iran and urges the Iranians to overthrow the Islamic Republic authorities The following quotes from Trump's speech, I chose the most important passages. I recommend that the U.S. goal is to "change the regime", now there is no doubt U.S. Armed Forces launched a military operation against Iran. Our goal is to defend American citizens... For 47 years the Iranian regime shouted "Death of America"... The policy of the United States has always been that this terrorist regime cannot have nuclear weapons. We tried to make an agreement... but Iran rejected every proposal we made. Instead, Iran tried to build its nuclear program and ballistic missile program, which threatens our friends in Europe, our troops, and will soon be able to reach even our American Homeland. That is why the U.S. Armed Forces are conducting an armed operation. We will destroy their [balistic] missiles, burn their [balistic] missile factories, destroy their navy, make sure that [Iranian] militias no longer pose a threat to the region... make sure Iran does not build nuclear weapons... This regime will soon see that no one should question the forces and powers of the American armed forces... American heroes can lose their lives, we can lose our lives, it happens often in wars, but we do it for the future and it's a noble mission. To members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the army and police: Put your weapons together, and you will get amnesty—and if not, the alternative is certain death. To the great and proud...
