[TEHRAN/WASHINGTON, February 28, 2026] — In a dramatic escalation that risks plunging the entire Middle East into all-out war, United States and Israeli forces have executed a multi-wave series of airstrikes on critical military and intelligence targets across the Iranian capital, Tehran.
The strikes, which began at approximately 3:30 AM local time, represent the largest mobilization of US and allied airpower in the region since the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003.
“Major Combat Operations” Confirmed
The Pentagon confirmed the commencement of “major combat operations” intended to “dismantle the operational command and control of the Iranian regime’s nuclear and conventional missile infrastructure.” President Trump, in a surprise televised address from Mar-a-Lago, stated the strikes were in direct response to “imminent and confirmed threats” to US personnel and regional stability.
He simultaneously issued a rare direct appeal to the civilian population: “The time has come. Take back your beautiful country. The free world stands with you, not your oppressors.”
The Situation in Tehran
Eyewitnesses in Tehran reported powerful explosions in the west and north of the city, targeting installations believed to belong to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iranian air defense systems were heard firing back over the city, and multiple streaks—interpreted as defensive missiles—were seen across the night sky. Large fires are currently visible at at least two major locations.
Iranian state media has yet to issue a formal casualty count, confirming only that “the aggression is being confronted.”
Key Targets Hit: A 4-Point Summary
According to intelligence briefings and satellite analysis, the initial strikes focus heavily on four strategic nodes:
- IRGC Headquarters: The primary command center in Tehran.
- Imam Ali Missile Base: A key IRGC missile production and launch facility located just outside the capital.
- Hassanabad Airfield: Used extensively for operational drone deployments.
- Nuclear Research Facilities: A precision strike was reportedly targeted at the perimeter of the Natanz fuel enrichment plant, targeting advanced centrifuge production facilities.
Live Analysis: The Dominoes That Will Fall Next
The global community now waits to see Iran’s inevitable response. This mobilization will have profound, immediate effects beyond the battlefield. Analysts predict three primary vectors of immediate impact:
- Oil and Gas Prices: Markets are bracing for a severe spike. Any threat to the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil choke point, could disrupt 20% of the world’s supply.
- Regional Proxies: The immediate concern is how Iran’s proxy network—Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen—will react. Will they open a second front against US and Israeli interests?
- The Domestic Economy (US): For the American consumer, the immediate fallout will be felt at the pump and potentially in the stock market, introducing significant economic volatility into an already tense year.
This is a developing story. We are updating this page in real-time.