President Trump and Israel just launched devastating airstrikes on Iran’s regime heartland, igniting explosions across Tehran and offering long-suppressed Iranians a chance to topple their oppressive rulers.
Story Highlights
- US-Israel coordinated strikes hit 500 targets including nuclear sites, missile launchers, and Supreme Leader Khamenei’s offices in Tehran on February 28, 2026.
- Trump announces “major combat operations” via video, urging Iranians to rise up and IRGC to surrender for immunity.
- Israeli PM Netanyahu declares strikes enable Iranian people to seize control from the regime.
- Iran retaliates with missiles on Israel and US bases; 40 civilians killed at a girls’ school in Minab.
Joint Strikes Target Iran’s Nuclear and Regime Core
On February 28, 2026, early hours, US and Israeli forces executed coordinated airstrikes across Iran. Israeli Air Force deployed approximately 200 jets in its largest sortie ever, striking 500 targets under operations “Roaring Lion,” “Epic Fury,” and “Genesis.” Initial explosions rocked areas near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s offices in Tehran, alongside sites in Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. US long-range weapons supported the effort to cripple military, nuclear, missile, and government facilities. This preemptive action followed weeks of US military buildup and failed diplomacy in Switzerland and Oman demanding zero nuclear enrichment, missile limits, and proxy halts.
Trump and Netanyahu Champion Regime Change
President Donald J. Trump announced the “major combat operations” in a Truth Social video, vowing to annihilate Iran’s navy and proxies while offering immunity to surrendering IRGC forces. He urged ordinary Iranians to rise against leadership that has suppressed them since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this, stating the strikes create conditions for the Iranian people to overthrow the regime. Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the pre-emptive nature, while Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stressed urgency to block nuclear and missile advances. This unprecedented US-Israel coordination, planned over months with intelligence sharing, responds to decades of Iranian aggression via proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Houthis.
Iran’s Retaliation and Rising Casualties
Iran immediately launched missiles and drones at Israel, US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. UAE and Iraq closed airspace amid escalating tensions. Reports confirm smoke over Tehran and at least 40 deaths at a girls’ school in Minab, highlighting civilian risks in the regime’s defenses. Khamenei’s status remains uncertain, with some sources presuming him dead from strikes near his residence. Operations continue without a set timetable, aimed at fully crippling the Islamic Republic. Iranian FM vowed to defend the homeland, while Oman expressed dismay over failed talks. Nationwide explosions signal the operation’s nationwide scope.
Historical Grievances Fuel Decisive Action
Tensions stem from Iran’s 1979 Revolution, which ended its US alliance with “Death to America” chants, the hostage crisis, and proxy terrorism. Recent protests over economic collapse evolved into anti-regime dissent, met with crackdowns that prompted Trump’s threats. Prior incidents include Soleimani’s 2020 assassination, failed JCPOA revival, and Iranian missile attacks on Israel. Iran nears nuclear “immunity,” making strikes essential to neutralize existential threats to US interests and Israel. This aligns with conservative priorities of strong defense, alliance with Israel, and rejecting globalist appeasement that empowered Tehran under past administrations.
Potential Impacts on Region and Energy Markets
Short-term risks include Strait of Hormuz disruption, carrying 14 million barrels of oil daily, proxy activations, and further casualties. Long-term, strikes could collapse the regime, set back nuclear programs, and redraw Middle East alliances by weakening Houthis and others. Energy volatility looms with potential oil spikes, boosting defense stocks but challenging global markets. Iranian dissent may surge, fulfilling Trump’s vision of liberation. Experts like ISW see it as a toppling effort; CFR assesses regime-change odds amid the massive scale. US domestic support grows for ending threats that Biden-era weakness ignored.
Sources:
US and Israel launch massive attack on Iran (Politico)
US, Israel launch ‘major combat operations’ in Iran (Military Times)
Iran Update Special Report: US and Israeli Strikes, February 28, 2026 (ISW)
Israel-US attack Iran: Trump says major combat operations (CBS News)
Gauging the Impact of Massive U.S.-Israeli Strikes on Iran (CFR)
