Live report: US and Israel launch major strikes on Iran’s regime; Tehran retaliates

2026-02-28 - 12:04

A major conflict has erupted as the United States and Israel launched coordinated air and sea strikes against the Iranian regime in the early hours of Saturday. The military campaign, described by Israeli officials as “pre-emptive” and by US President Donald Trump as “major combat operations,” comes after a 12-day air war in June and repeated warnings regarding Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. As explosions rock Tehran and other major cities, the U.S President Donald Trump has issued a direct appeal to the Iranian people to “take over your government,” signaling a potential shift toward seeking an end to the ruling theocracy. The regime’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US bases in the region. Key developments Strikes on regime targets: Explosions have been reported in central Tehran, including near the compound of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as well as in Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, Tabriz, Kermanshah, and Lorestan. Trump’s call to action: In a video address, the US President Donald Trump stated the goal is to “eliminate imminent threats” and urged Iranians to reclaim their country. Regime retaliation: The IRGC claims to have targeted US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE, alongside a “first wave” of drone and missile attacks against Israel. IRGC casualties: Reports indicate significant casualties among IRGC personnel in operational posts. Internet and airspace: NetBlocks reports internet connectivity in Tehran has dropped to 54%. Iranian airspace is closed, and international airlines have suspended flights to the region. State of emergency: The regime’s Supreme National Security Council has ordered the closure of schools and universities until further notice. 12:00 CET – Conflict escalates as US and Israel target IRGC infrastructure; Regime strikes back As of midday in Europe, the confrontation has intensified. Following the initial wave of strikes in the early morning, reports confirm that the joint US-Israeli operation is targeting the regime’s nuclear infrastructure, missile industry, and naval capabilities. Strikes on Tehran and military centers Witnesses in Tehran reported heavy explosions in the city center. State-affiliated media admitted that missiles struck the University Street and Jomhuri area. Notably, the Associated Press reports that the initial strikes appeared to target the compound of the regime’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Smoke has been seen rising from various parts of the capital. Sources close to the IRGC, including the Telegram channel Sabereen News, have acknowledged that the attacks resulted in the death and injury of a “significant number” of IRGC personnel, many of whom held key operational and specialized positions. US mobilization and objectives The United States has deployed a massive naval armada to the region, including the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carriers. The US President Donald Trump stated that the operation aims to ensure the regime “can never have a nuclear weapon” and to destroy its long-range missile capabilities. pic.twitter.com/BZuJDudLej — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2026 Regime’s response and regional impact The IRGC claims to have launched ballistic missiles targeting US military presence in the Persian Gulf. The IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency claims attacks on the Al Udeid Air Base (Qatar), Ali Al Salem Air Base (Kuwait), Al Dhafra Air Base (UAE), and the US 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Simultaneously, the IRGC launched drones and missiles toward Israel. Sirens have sounded across Israel, Jordan, and Kuwait. The US Embassy in Qatar has warned American citizens to “duck and cover” due to imminent missile threats. Domestically, the regime is tightening control. Internet access has been severely disrupted to limit the flow of information, and the Supreme National Security Council has announced the closure of all schools and universities. Confirmed: Live metrics show a disruption to internet access in parts of #Iran including Tehran with connectivity at 54% of ordinary levels. The incident comes as the US and Israel target the regime with military strikes and will limit visibility into incidents on the ground. pic.twitter.com/YvKpsa8d6x — NetBlocks (@netblocks) February 28, 2026