[Updated] Israel and U.S. Launch Assault on Iran

Israel has launched a daylight preemptive assault in opposition to a number of Iranian targets, with the U.S. now becoming a member of the operation. Right here’s our consistently up to date report.

Israel and the U.S. have launched on Feb. 28, 2026, a brand new wave of strikes in opposition to Iran, in what Israel has referred to as a “preemptive assault.” Particulars are nonetheless fragmentary, however it seems a number of targets throughout Iran, together with the capital Tehran, had been hit in broad daylight, and a primary Iranian retaliation has already been launched

Epic Fury / Roaring Lion

The U.S. Division of Protection introduced in a publish on social media that the U.S. operation has been named “Operation Epic Fury,” whereas Israel seems to have named its personal operation “Roaring Lion.” In keeping with reviews, the assault seems to have began at round 8:10 am native time, with each U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu releasing statements shortly thereafter.

OPERATION EPIC FURY 🇺🇸

— Division of Warfare 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) February 28, 2026

🇮🇱 🤝 🇺🇸 OPERATION ROARING LION: The IDF and the usArmed Forces have launched a broad & joint operation to totally degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to take away existential threats to Israel over time.

The Iranian regime has not deserted its plan to destroy Israel.…

— Israel Protection Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026

Netanyahu says that “Israel and the US launched into an operation to take away the existential menace posed by the terrorist regime in Iran.” The assertion additionally hinted at regime change being a objective: “Our joint motion will create the situations for the brave Iranian individuals to take their future into their very own fingers. The time has come for all segments of the Iranian individuals – the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Baluchis, and the Ahwazis – to throw off the yoke of tyranny and produce a few free and peaceable Iran.”

Trump equally mentioned that the “U.S. navy started main fight operations in Iran,” with the target to “defend the American individuals by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very laborious, horrible individuals.” Trump reiterated that “they will by no means have a nuclear weapon,” and “we will’t take it anymore.”

pic.twitter.com/BZuJDudLej

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2026

First Studies

A number of authorities buildings seem to have been focused within the preliminary strikes.

Western supply tells Fox: Assaults on the Iranian Parliament, Nationwide Supreme Council,  Ministry of Inteligence, Iranian Atomic Company.Cyber assaults on information businesses, akin to IRNA.

— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) February 28, 2026

This video, posted by a semi-official Iranian information company, reveals thick smoke rising close to Pasteur St (خیابان پاستور), the place key authorities establishments are situated. Level-of-view is southwest. Geolocation in tweet under. pic.twitter.com/uPzsipAnPd

— Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) February 28, 2026

In keeping with Iranian media, missiles additionally struck the realm close to the Iranian presidential palace and the compound of the Supreme Chief Khamenei. Studies say he may need been already evacuated earlier than the launch of the assaults.

SEVEN MISSILES HIT AREA NEAR PRESIDENTIAL PALACE AND SUPREME LEADER KHAMENEI’S COMPOUND – TASNIM REPORTS

— Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) February 28, 2026

Israel is confirmed to have launched “preemptive strikes” this morning in opposition to Iran. pic.twitter.com/KAMo8oldTe

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 28, 2026

The U.S. airstrikes seem to have been complemented by assaults with Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from U.S. Navy warships. A number of missiles had been caught on video whereas reportedly flying at low altitude over Iraq after which over Iran’s capital Tehran.

Footage of 21 Tomahawk cruise missiles headed in direction of Tehran this morning. pic.twitter.com/CYyJNjbICb

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026

U.S. Navy Tomahawk cruise missile flying over Tehran, Iran, this morning. pic.twitter.com/6FiuzvurL7

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026

A video seems to point out an Iranian MiG-29 in flight over Tehran, nonetheless there are not any reviews of aerial confrontation with Israeli and U.S. plane.

Iranian MiG 29 jet scrambled above Tehran pic.twitter.com/glzsQyhB15

— Arya – آریا (@AryJeay) February 28, 2026

Each Iraqi and Syrian airspaces seem to have been utilized by plane on their means in to strike Iranian targets. Boosters related to the Israeli Blue Sparrow air launched ballistic missile had been present in Iraq, whereas fighters had been seen in flight over Syria.

Israeli Blue-Sparrow collection missile boosters present in Iraq. The identical boosters had been additionally discovered after earlier Israeli strikes on Iran. pic.twitter.com/iURpTEptAe

— Trevor Ball (@Easybakeovensz) February 28, 2026

It’s reported that about 20 U.S. and Israeli fighter jets are flying over Daraa, Syria, to bomb Iran. pic.twitter.com/AzspAq2WCn

— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝕯𝔢𝔞𝔡 𝕯𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔠𝔱△ 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇺🇲🇬🇷 (@TheDeadDistrict) February 28, 2026

Preliminary Retaliation

Inside two hours from the start of the joint Israel-U.S. assault, Iran has launched a primary retaliation.

The IDF posted on social media {that a} barrage of missiles was launched in opposition to Israel, with air defenses at work to intercept the threats.

A short time in the past, the IDF recognized missiles launched from Iran towards Israel.

Defensive programs are working to intercept the menace. Prior to now jiffy, the Dwelling Entrance Command has despatched a precautionary directive on to cell phones within the related areas.

— Israel Protection Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026

Intercepts seem to have taken place additionally exterior of the Israeli airspace, with particles additionally present in Syria.

One of many interceptor missiles fell a short time in the past within the metropolis of Inkhil within the countryside of #Daraa. The skies over Daraa Governorate are nonetheless witnessing steady plane exercise on account of the conflict between #Iran and the US. pic.twitter.com/OHWvL3YZvr

— Mohammad Alasakra (@mohammed_asakra) February 28, 2026

Assaults seem to have focused additionally U.S. bases within the area, with reviews of interceptions and air protection exercise over Abu Dhabi.

Iranian ballistic missile interceptions reported over town of Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/6GpFnjF7qR

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026

Smoke was additionally noticed rising from the U.S. fifth Fleet help heart in Bahrain, after reviews of explosions being heard. A missile was additionally videoed whereas impacting throughout the perimeter of the bottom.

Footage of an Iranian ballistic missile slamming into the headquarters of the US Navy’s fifth Fleet at Naval Assist Exercise (NSA) Bahrain earlier at this time. pic.twitter.com/6omkCrLy2u

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026

The U.S. fifth Fleet help heart was focused within the Iranian strike in Bahrain. Moreover, we are actually seeing reviews of explosions in a number of different U.S. companion nations, together with Kuwait, Jordan, and the UAE.

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 28, 2026

Huge clouds of black smoke billow from the U.S. Navy’s fifth Fleet Headquarters at Naval Assist Exercise Bahrain in Juffair, a significant district in Manama, Bahrain. pic.twitter.com/3HdT1dKdGm

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 28, 2026

New particulars

The IDF has disclosed some particulars concerning the operation, explaining that the operation was deliberate for a number of months. The choice to hold out the strike in plain daylight somewhat than at evening allowed Israel to realize a shock.

The IDF gives new particulars on its simultaneous airstrikes this morning focusing on senior Iranian political and navy officers at a number of places in Tehran.

The navy says it developed the plan over months, and it included a significant intelligence effort led by the…

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 28, 2026

A nonetheless picture from the video displaying IAF F-15D Baz “986” from the “Knights of the Twin Tail” Squadron. Seen underneath its starboard wing is a GPS-aided GBU-31(V)3/B collection JDAM (contains a 2,000-pound class BLU-109 collection hard-target-penetrator warhead). pic.twitter.com/1HZsz8SXc8

— Man Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) February 28, 2026

Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister, Overseas Minister Antonio Tajani, mentioned that the Italian base in Kuwait, the place 300 Italian troopers in addition to the Eurofighter Typhoons are stationed, has been hit; none had been harmed. The bottom hosts the IT NCC Air/TFA-Ok (Italian Nationwide Contingent Command Air/Activity Power Air-Kuwait) and, specifically, the Activity Group TYPHOON, which operates with 4 F-2000A jets in addition to the Activity Group ARABA FENICE, with an MQ-9A Reaper.

Because the hours move, additional pictures of the assault and the Iranian retaliation are being launched on-line.

Footage of an Iranian assault drone slamming into the headquarters of the US Navy’s fifth Fleet at Naval Assist Exercise (NSA) Bahrain moments in the past. pic.twitter.com/wHbje3eiiy

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026

Qatar, the second a missile particles falls close to a crowd of individuals on the streets pic.twitter.com/GcBc0WpCm3

— Particular Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) February 28, 2026

It is a growing story, we’ll be sure to replace it as soon as new particulars can be found.