US Israel Strike Iran 2026 operations began Saturday, February 28, when the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iran in what officials described as a preemptive operation targeting the country’s military infrastructure.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed Israel had initiated what he termed a “preemptive strike” against Iran. The operation, codenamed Operation Roaring Lion by Israel and Operation Epic Fury by the United States, began around 9:45 AM Tehran time.
President Donald Trump announced the strikes in a video posted on Truth Social at 2:30 AM EST, stating the objective was to “defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”
According to CSIS analysis, the strikes involved US warships launching Tomahawk cruise missiles, US Army HIMARS launchers, and Israeli fighter jets. This marked the first combat use of Task Force Scorpion Strike’s low-cost one-way attack drones.
Multiple explosions rocked Tehran’s capital, with Iranian news agency Fars reporting strikes on University Street and the Jomhouri area.CNN verified video footage showing smoke rising across the city.
The Israeli Air Force deployed approximately 200 fighter jets in what military officials called the “largest strike sortie in the history of the Israeli Air Force,” striking roughly 500 targets, including ballistic missile launchers and air defense systems.
Targets included districts in Tehran housing Iran’s Supreme Leader’s offices, the presidential palace, and National Security Council facilities. Other cities hit included Qom, Kermanshah, Isfahan, and Karaj.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks as a “gross violation” of national sovereignty, stating that both military targets and civilian infrastructure were struck across multiple Iranian cities.
The Iranian Red Crescent reported more than 200 people killed and 747 injured across Iran. An Israeli strike on an elementary girls’ school in Minab killed at least 40 students, according to Iranian state media IRNA.
Israel declared a nationwide state of emergency, with sirens sounding across the country as the military warned of potential Iranian retaliation. Israeli airspace was closed to all civilian flights.
According to Reuters reporting, an Israeli defense official stated the operation had been planned for months, with the specific launch date decided weeks ago despite ongoing US-Iran negotiations.
Internet connectivity in Tehran dropped by approximately 46 percent following the strikes, according to monitoring organization Netblocks.
The US Central Command confirmed American forces participated in the operation, stating it was conducted to “defend US interests and allies in the region.” CENTCOM reported no American casualties from the initial strikes.
President Trump warned Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commanders to “lay down their arms in exchange for immunity,” stating that refusal would mean “certain death.”
FAQs
Q: Why did the US and Israel strike Iran in 2026?
Officials described the US-Israel Strike Iran 2026 as a preemptive operation to eliminate what they called “imminent threats” from Iran’s military infrastructure, particularly focusing on destroying ballistic missile capabilities and nuclear-related facilities.
Q: What is Operation Epic Fury?
Operation Epic Fury is the US military codename for the coordinated strikes against Iran. The operation involved US warships, HIMARS launchers, combat drones, and air support coordinated with Israeli forces conducting Operation Roaring Lion.
Q: How many targets were hit in the strikes?
Israeli military officials stated approximately 500 targets were struck across Iran, including military installations in Tehran, Qom, Kermanshah, Isfahan, and Karaj. The targets included missile launchers, air defense systems, and command centers.
Q: Were there civilian casualties?
Yes. The Iranian Red Crescent reported more than 200 people killed and 747 injured. Iranian state media reported an Israeli strike hit an elementary girls’ school in Minab, killing at least 40 students.
Q: How did Iran respond to the strikes?
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps announced retaliatory strikes targeting 27 US military bases across the Middle East and Israeli military facilities, launching ballistic missiles and combat drones against American and Israeli positions.
