Tehran Explosions: What We Know About the Israel-U.S. Strike on Iran

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TLDR

  • On February 28, 2026, Israel carried out a “pre-emptive strike” on Iran, coordinated with the US
  • US President Trump confirmed that “major combat operations” are active in Iran
  • Iran has closed its airspace and is preparing a “crushing” retaliatory response
  • Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei was transferred to a secure location outside Tehran
  • The US designated Iran a “state sponsor of wrongful detention” on the same day

Israel initiated a pre-emptive military strike against Iran on February 28, 2026. An Israeli defense official confirmed to Reuters that the attack was coordinated with the United States.

US President Donald Trump confirmed that the US had launched “major combat operations” in Iran. CNN reported the strikes are focused on military targets.

The operation had been planned for months. According to the Israeli defense official, the final launch date was decided weeks in advance.

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz announced the strike and declared a state of emergency across Israel. The move was described as anticipating retaliatory strikes from Iran.

Sirens sounded across Israel at approximately 08:15 local time. Residents received phone alerts warning of an “extremely serious” threat.

AFP journalists in Tehran reported hearing two loud blasts. Two plumes of thick smoke were observed over the center and east of the Iranian capital.

Iran’s Fars news agency said the “type of explosions suggests a missile attack.” Iran has not immediately confirmed the full extent of damage.

Iran closed its national airspace following the blasts. The Civil Aviation Organisation announced the closure “until further notice.”

Iran’s Response and Leadership

An Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran is preparing a “crushing” retaliation. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was moved out of Tehran to a secure location.

The strikes follow a 12-day air war between Israel and Iran in June 2025. The US and Israel had repeatedly warned they would strike if Iran continued its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

US Designates Iran Over Wrongful Detention

On the same day, the US designated Iran a “state sponsor of wrongful detention.” It is the first country placed on this blacklist, created by a Trump executive order in September 2025.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Iran to release all Americans it holds. He warned that US passports could eventually be declared invalid for travel to Iran.

Trump also stated he wants zero uranium enrichment in Iran, even for civilian purposes. This came one day after indirect US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva, where both sides said progress had been made.

Oman’s Foreign Minister said Iran agreed during those talks to never stockpile enriched uranium. He called it a breakthrough that could prevent war.

Trump said on Friday he had not made a “final decision” on strikes. By Saturday morning, operations were underway.