On February 28, 2026, Israel and the United States launched missile strikes towards Iran. These strikes targeted Iran’s missile foundations, as well as military bases and the Capital city of Tehran. The first wave of strikes killed the Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and dozens of other senior figures in the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps. The U.S. and Israel continue to target key sites, focusing on nuclear compounds, despite Iran’s reassurances that their nuclear program is completely peaceful.
The Iranian death toll has reached roughly 1,000, including 181 children. Iran accused the U.S. and Israel of attacking a school that was near a military base. This attack is claimed to have killed 160 people. The U.S. death toll has reached roughly six people. Iranian internet connectivity is almost entirely restricted, and Iran’s airspace has been closed.
Israeli defense minister Israel Katz claimed that their “pre-emptive strikes” were made solely to “remove threat against the state of Israel.” This decision, however, was not explained by the state of Israel. The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated that the U.S. knew of Israel’s plans, meaning that the U.S. had to attack pre-emptively due to the possibility of attack against American troops. This decision was also not further elaborated.
Iran described these attacks as “unprecedented and illegal,” and retaliated with numerous missile and drone attacks in Israel’s capital city Tel Aviv, and countries housing U.S. military bases. However, Iran has been accused of widening their targets to shipping and civilian sites after striking hotels in Dubai.
It is unclear how much longer this conflict will last. President Donald Trump stated that the attacks could carry out for, “four to five weeks, but we have the capability to go far longer than that.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has additionally stated that the conflict will last, “as long as it is needed.”
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