The United States and Israel launched a coordinated military operation against Iran on February 28, 2026, marking the beginning of a new armed conflict in the Middle East — separate from the 12-day Iran-Israel war that ended with a ceasefire in June 2025.
The Opening Strikes
According to reports, waves of airstrikes targeted multiple locations across Iran in the early hours of February 28. The operation reportedly involved both American and Israeli assets striking military installations, command centers, and key infrastructure across the country.
The most consequential strike hit a compound in Tehran linked to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian state media subsequently confirmed that Khamenei, who had led the Islamic Republic since 1989, was killed in the attack.
Death of the Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, had served as Iran’s supreme leader for nearly 37 years, making him one of the longest-serving heads of state in the Middle East. According to Iranian officials, his mother, wife, and one sister were also killed in the strike on his compound.
The death of Khamenei represents what analysts describe as the most significant targeted killing of a sitting head of state in decades. As supreme leader, Khamenei held ultimate authority over Iran’s armed forces, nuclear program, and foreign policy.
International Reaction
The strikes immediately drew condemnation and support along predictable geopolitical lines. Several Western governments expressed solidarity with the US-Israeli operation, while Russia and China called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session within hours of the first strikes, with the Secretary-General calling for restraint from all parties.
Military Scope
Initial reports indicated the bombing campaign targeted:
- Iranian military command and control centers
- Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) installations
- Air defense systems across the country
- Key government facilities in Tehran and other cities
Military analysts noted the operation appeared to be significantly larger in scale than the June 2025 conflict, suggesting extensive planning and preparation by both the United States and Israel.
Context
The strikes came eight months after the June 2025 Iran-Israel war, a 12-day conflict that ended with a US-brokered ceasefire. Tensions between Iran and the US-Israeli alliance had remained elevated since that earlier confrontation, with both sides accusing the other of violating the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
The February 28 operation marks the first time the United States has directly engaged in large-scale military operations against Iran since the 1988 naval engagements during the Iran-Iraq War.
Immediate Consequences
Oil markets reacted sharply, with crude prices surging in after-hours trading as concerns mounted over potential disruptions to energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. Regional governments placed their militaries on high alert, and several airlines began rerouting flights away from Iranian airspace.
Iran’s government vowed immediate retaliation, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issuing a statement promising a “devastating response” against both the United States and Israel.