ISRAEL AND UNITED STATES LAUNCH COORDINATED STRIKES ON IRAN
Turknews.com
February 28, 2026
Tehran / Washington – Israel and the United States initiated large-scale, coordinated air and missile strikes against Iran on Saturday, February 28, 2026, significantly escalating tensions across the Middle East and marking the most serious military confrontation in the region since the 12-day air war of June 2025.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the operation was launched “to eliminate threats directed against the State of Israel.” Israeli officials emphasized that the action had been planned for months and executed in full coordination with Washington.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the strikes were carried out under the codename “Epic Fury.” In a televised address, he declared: “The Iranian regime will never possess nuclear weapons. We will destroy its missile program and neutralize threats to the region.” Israel designated its portion of the operation “Roaring Lion.”
The opening wave of attacks targeted senior leadership compounds in Tehran, key nuclear facilities, ballistic missile launch sites, air-defense batteries, and bases belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Iranian state media confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes. Reports also indicate that the Defense Minister, the IRGC commander-in-chief, and several other high-ranking officials were among those targeted.
In response, Iran launched what it called “True Promise IV,” firing dozens of ballistic missiles and drones toward Israeli population centers and U.S. military facilities in Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Kuwait. Iranian authorities declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to international shipping.
Both sides described their actions as defensive and necessary to protect national security. The United Nations Security Council has called an emergency session to address the rapidly deteriorating situation. Diplomats warn that the conflict carries a high risk of further regional escalation.
The strikes follow the collapse of indirect nuclear negotiations and repeated warnings from Israel and the United States about Iran’s advancing enrichment activities and missile development.
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