US and Israel Launch Major Strikes on Iran, Marking Largest Escalation Yet

In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iran on February 28, 2026, in what leaders described as a pre-emptive operation aimed at neutralising perceived threats from Tehran. The offensive, dubbed by U.S. officials as “major combat operations,” marked one of the most significant direct confrontations involving the two Western allies and Iran in years.

The joint assault targeted multiple strategic and military sites across Iranian territory. Air and missile strikes hit key locations in the capital, Tehran, and other cities, including missile facilities, defence ministry installations and sites believed to be linked to Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Explosions were widely reported across urban centres, with smoke rising over several regions as air defence systems struggled to intercept incoming weapons. Sirens wailed in some Iranian cities, amplifying fears of a sustained conflict

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the operation via a televised address, asserting that Washington had acted to eliminate “imminent threats” posed by Iran’s government and military capabilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed that sentiment, describing the strikes as necessary to safeguard Israel’s security and stability in the region. Both leaders emphasised that the offensive was aimed at degrading Iran’s capacity to harm regional partners.

The strikes drew global reaction, with allied nations urging restraint even as some backed the objective of weakening Iran’s strategic capabilities. Russia, however, condemned the action as an “unprovoked act of aggression,” calling for an immediate end to hostilities. Amid widespread alarm, commercial airlines began suspending flights across Middle Eastern airspace, while embassies issued advisories urging citizens to stay safe as tensions escalated. 

The intensity and scope of the joint U.S.–Israeli offensive have heightened fears that the confrontation could draw in neighbouring states, disrupt global markets, and destabilise an already volatile region. Diplomatic efforts to prevent further bloodshed are expected to intensify as world leaders call for urgent dialogue.