U.S. and Israel Strike Iran; Iran Responds with Regional Missiles – February 28, 2026 Update

-            Joint U.S.Israeli military operation, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” by the U.S. and “Roaring Lion” by Israel, began early today with strikes on Iranian leadership sites, military bases, and missile facilities in Tehran and other cities.

-            Iran responded swiftly with ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israel and U.S. bases in multiple Gulf countries; most were intercepted, but debris caused limited casualties.

-            Civilian casualties reported primarily in Iran, including dozens of schoolchildren killed in strikes on educational sites per Iranian sources (figures range 40–85 at one school); one civilian death confirmed in the UAE from debris.

-            President Trump described the action as “major combat operations” to neutralize threats and urged Iranians to “take over your government”; the situation remains fluid with operations expected to continue for days.

-            Research suggests the strikes followed stalled nuclear talks, highlighting complex security concerns versus risks of broader escalation and civilian harm, with international calls for restraint from multiple parties.

Key Developments 

Explosions rocked Tehran around 9 a.m. local time, with smoke visible over government and military areas, including near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound. Additional targets included sites in Isfahan, Qom, and Bushehr. For live coverage, see [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/world/livenews/israeliranattack022826hnkintl) or [AP News](https://apnews.com/live/liveupdatesisraeliranfebruary282026).

Casualties and Impacts 

Iranian state media report strikes hit two schools, with the death toll at a girls’ elementary school in Minab rising to as high as 85 (including students), and at least two students killed near Tehran. Military losses in Iran are described as significant but remain unverified independently. On the other side, one Pakistani national died from debris in the UAE, with minor injuries reported in Israel, Dubai, and Kuwait. Damage appears concentrated in Iran, while defensive systems limited broader regional effects.

Ongoing Situation 

The conflict is in its early hours, with airspace closures across the Middle East and an internet blackout in parts of Iran complicating assessments. Diplomatic efforts are underway, including an emergency UN Security Council meeting. This update reflects the rapidly evolving events as of midmorning EST on February 28, 2026.

The joint U.S.Israeli military strikes on Iran that commenced on February 28, 2026, have rapidly escalated into a direct confrontation involving retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Tehran across the Middle East, marking a significant shift from previous proxy tensions and indirect exchanges. This comprehensive update draws from real-time reporting across major outlets to provide a balanced overview of the initial phase, acknowledging the inherent challenges of verification in active conflict zones—such as communication blackouts, restricted access, and differing narratives from involved parties. While both the United States and Israel have framed the operation as a necessary preemptive measure against nuclear and missile threats, Iranian officials condemn it as unprovoked aggression during ongoing negotiations, underscoring the profound humanitarian, strategic, and diplomatic complexities at play. Civilian impacts, particularly the reported strikes on schools in Iran, have drawn immediate scrutiny regarding targeting protocols and international humanitarian law, even as defensive interceptions appear to have contained much of the retaliatory fallout outside Iran.

The operation unfolded in coordinated waves starting in the early morning hours, Iran time. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and U.S. officials confirmed the launch of preemptive actions aimed at degrading Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, nuclear-related infrastructure, and senior leadership. President Donald Trump, in an eight-minute video address posted to Truth Social, declared the beginning of “major combat operations” under the Pentagon’s codename “Operation Epic Fury.” He outlined objectives, including the elimination of imminent threats from Iran’s regime, citing longstanding issues such as nuclear pursuits, proxy activities, and internal repression, while explicitly calling on the Iranian people to “seize control of your destiny” and “take over your government,” offering amnesty to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members who lay down arms. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this in a separate statement, describing the parallel “Roaring Lion” (or “Lion’s Roar”) operation as essential to removing an existential threat and creating conditions for Iranians to end decades of tyranny.

Initial strikes focused heavily on Tehran, with multiple explosions reported around 9 a.m. local time (approximately 1 a.m. EST) near the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound—satellite imagery later showed significant structural damage after at least seven missile impacts—along with areas housing the presidential palace, National Security Council facilities, IRGC headquarters, and sites in University Street and Jomhouri district. Waves extended to key provinces including Isfahan (a known missile production hub), Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah, and Bushehr port, targeting military bases, missile launchers, and facilities linked to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programs. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian remain alive “as far as I know,” though nationwide communication disruptions, including an internet blackout that reduced connectivity to about 4% of normal levels, have limited confirmation.

Iran’s response was swift and multifaceted, launching dozens of ballistic missiles and Shahed style drones under what some reports describe as “Truthful Promise 4.” Targets included Israel—triggering nationwide air raid sirens, with approximately 40 missiles fired by midafternoon and most intercepted, resulting in one civilian sustaining light injuries from shrapnel and minor structural damage to a building in northern Israel near Haifa—and U.S. military installations across the region. Specific sites hit or targeted encompassed Al Dhafra in the UAE, Al Udeid in Qatar, Ali Al Salem in Kuwait, the Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, bases in Jordan and Saudi Arabia (including Riyadh and the Eastern Province), and locations in Iraq and Syria. Host nation and coalition defences intercepted the majority, but debris and localized impacts caused collateral effects: a fire at a hotel on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah injuring four, damage at Kuwait International Airport with several employees wounded, explosions reported over Doha and Abu Dhabi, and one Pakistani national killed by falling debris in the UAE. In southern Syria, four deaths were linked to missile debris. Houthi forces in Yemen announced resumed attacks in the Red Sea in solidarity.

Human costs in these opening hours remain preliminary and contested, with the bulk of verified civilian tolls concentrated in Iran due to the density of strike zones. Iranian state media and officials have emphasized impacts on civilian infrastructure, particularly two educational facilities: an elementary girls’ school in Minab (Hormozgan province, near the Strait of Hormuz and a Revolutionary Guard base) where the death toll has climbed to between 40 and 85 students and staff according to varying reports from Tasnim News, IRNA, and local authorities (with 63–92 injured and rescue efforts ongoing amid rubble); and a separate strike east of Tehran (or in the Narmak district per some accounts) killing at least two students. Military and IRGC casualties in Iran are estimated in the thousands by Israeli and exile sources, including possible senior commanders, though independent tallies are unavailable due to access restrictions. Regional collateral from interceptions has been tragic but contained: the confirmed UAE death, scattered injuries in Gulf cities, and no U.S. or Israeli service member fatalities reported thus far. These disparities highlight the asymmetric nature of the early exchanges, even as questions persist about the precision of data in populated Iranian areas.

To organize the unfolding details clearly, the following tables summarize verified and reported elements based on cross-referenced sources:

Table 1: Timeline of Key Events – February 28, 2026 (Approximate Iran Local Time) 

Time	Event	Details
~9:00 a.m.	Initial U.S./Israeli strikes begin	Explosions in Tehran targeting Khamenei compound, government sites, and military facilities; waves hit Isfahan, Qom, Bushehr, etc.
Midmorning	Official announcements	Trump declares “major combat operations” (Operation Epic Fury) and calls for regime change; Israel confirms Roaring Lion preemptive strike
Within hours	Iranian retaliation launches	Dozens of missiles/drones toward Israel and U.S. bases in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria
Afternoon onward	Ongoing exchanges	Additional Israeli strikes on missile launchers; interceptions reported; U.S. planning multiday campaign; regional airspace closures and blackouts

 

Table 2: Primary Targets and Reported Destruction 

Attacking Side	Key Locations	Damage/Impacts Described
U.S./Israel (on Iran)	Tehran (Khamenei compound, IRGC HQ, presidential areas), Isfahan, Qom, Bushehr, Minab school	Heavy structural damage to command centers visible in satellite imagery; school destruction in Minab and Tehran area; communication/internet blackouts nationwide
Iran (retaliatory)	Israel (northern/central areas), U.S. bases (Al Dhafra UAE, Al Udeid Qatar, Ali Al Salem Kuwait, Fifth Fleet Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Riyadh/Eastern Province)	Mostly intercepted by defenses; debris causing fires (e.g., Dubai Palm Jumeirah), airport damage (Kuwait), minor hits elsewhere

Table 3: Preliminary Human Cost Overview (as of MidDay Reports) 

Area/Side	Deaths	Injuries	Notes
Iran – Civilian (Schools)	40–85 (Minab girls’ school); 2 (Tehranarea school)	45–92+ (Minab)	Iranian state media/local officials; rescue ongoing, figures vary
Iran – Military/IRGC	Thousands estimated (incl. possible seniors)	Unspecified	Israeli/exile reports; unverified independently
Israel	0 confirmed	1 (light, civilian)	From shrapnel/debris
Gulf/Regional	1 (Pakistani national, UAE debris); 4 (southern Syria debris)	4+ (Dubai); several (Kuwait airport, others)	UAE authorities; local reports

 

International reactions reflect deep divisions and widespread concern over escalation risks. UN SecretaryGeneral António Guterres called for immediate cessation and deescalation to prevent a wider conflict. China, Russia, and several Arab states condemned the strikes as unprovoked, urging a return to dialogue. The EU, UK, France, and Germany pressed for restraint and civilian protection while criticizing Iran’s response. Some U.S. allies expressed support for addressing perceived threats, though domestic U.S. congressional figures from both parties have raised questions about authorization and briefed lawmakers. In Iran, mixed public reactions include progovernment rallies alongside isolated celebrations abroad by diaspora communities. Humanitarian alerts have been issued, with risks to foreign nationals in the Gulf, volatile oil markets (no major disruptions yet), and potential Strait of Hormuz threats.

 

As of late morning EST on February 28, 2026, the operation remains active in its opening phase, with U.S. sources indicating sustained actions over several days and Israel maintaining a nationwide state of emergency (schools and nonessential workplaces closed). Airspaces are heavily restricted, embassies have issued travel advisories, and fears of proxy escalations (e.g., renewed Houthi activity) persist. Independent verification of full damage and casualty assessments awaits improved access once the immediate fog of war lifts. This breaking news article update captures the verified start and early developments based on multiple crosschecked sources; further daily or hourly revisions will incorporate refined data on escalation or deescalation, humanitarian needs, diplomatic outcomes, and precise impacts as the situation evolves. The events underscore the high stakes for regional stability, civilian safety, and global security amid longstanding disputes.

Key Citations 

1.        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Israeli–United_States_strikes_on_Iran 

2.        https://www.cnn.com/world/livenews/israeliranattack022826hnkintl 

3.        https://apnews.com/live/liveupdatesisraeliranfebruary282026 

4.        https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/28/israelstrikestwoschoolsinirankillingmorethan50people 

5.        https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospacedefense/israeluslaunchstrikesiran20260228/ 

6.        https://www.nbcnews.com/world/iran/liveblog/israeliranliveupdatesrcna261099 

7.        https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/liveupdatesusandisraelattackiran