• Israeli forces strike Supreme Leader Khamenei's compound in Tehran, with his status uncertain pending confirmation.
  • U.S. and Israeli military operations target approximately 500 military sites and nuclear-related facilities across Iran.
  • Iran retaliates with missile volleys against Israel and U.S. bases in the region, escalating regional tensions.

Leadership and Military Targets Hit

In a dramatic escalation of Middle East hostilities, Israel and the United States launched coordinated military strikes against Iran on February 28, 2026, targeting senior leadership, military infrastructure, and nuclear facilities. The Israeli Air Force conducted what officials described as "decapitation strikes," hitting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's compound in Tehran with satellite imagery showing heavy damage. According to people familiar with the matter, Israeli assessments indicate several high-ranking officials were eliminated, including Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani and IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Pakpour.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the operation aimed to "remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran," while Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar emphasized that delay would have allowed Iran to reach "immunity for its nuclear program." The strikes, codenamed "Operation Genesis" by Israel and "Operation Epic Fury" by the U.S. Department of Defense, involved roughly 200 fighter jets in what an Israeli military official called "the largest combat sortie in its history."

Strategic Objectives and Immediate Fallout

The United States had presented Iran with three core demands prior to the strikes: a permanent end to uranium enrichment, strict limits on ballistic missile programs, and a complete halt to support for regional proxy groups. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously stated that Iran's "insistence on not discussing ballistic missiles is a big, big problem," according to sources briefed on the negotiations. Without a deal, the U.S. and Israel moved forward with military action that targeted approximately 500 military sites across western and central Iran.

Iran responded swiftly with retaliatory strikes, firing approximately 35 missiles at Israel using Emad and Ghadr missiles by 5:42 AM ET, followed by a second volley. Additionally, Iran targeted numerous U.S. military bases across the region, including those in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. IRGC-affiliated media reported Iran had attacked 14 U.S. bases as of the reporting time. Major General Ali Abdollahi Ali Abadi, commander of Khatam ol Anbia Central Headquarters, confirmed Iranian strikes and asserted that Iran would persist in retaliatory actions until the U.S. and Israel are "definitively defeated."

Broader Implications and Market Reactions

These strikes represent a significant escalation following the June 2025 Israel-Iran War, during which Israeli strikes had temporarily disrupted Iran's command structure. The operation reflects months of planning and coordination between the U.S. and Israel at an "unprecedented" level, according to defense analysts. Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz declared a state of emergency across Israel, warning of expected Iranian missile and drone attacks. Efforts to reach Iranian officials for comment on the strikes were unsuccessful, but sources indicate that Khamenei may have relocated to a secure location before the attacks, leaving his status uncertain.

As the situation develops, regional stability hangs in the balance, with implications for global energy markets and geopolitical alliances. The strikes underscore the ongoing tensions over Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional influence, setting the stage for potential further conflict. Correction: An earlier version misstated the timing of Iran's retaliatory strikes; they began at 5:42 AM ET, not PM.