Backgrounder: US-Israeli Strikes on Iran — February 28, 2026
Last updated: ~15:00 UTC, February 28, 2026 (~11 hours into the conflict). This is a factual reference document. For analysis of the information environment, see editorials #2–#9.
The Operation
The United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iran beginning approximately 08:10 Israel local time (06:10 UTC / 09:40 Iran local time) on February 28, 2026. The Pentagon designated the operation "Epic Fury." Israel initially named it "Shield of Judea" (מגן יהודה), later renaming it "Roar of the Lion" (שאגת האריה) mid-day — a rebranding whose significance remains unclear.
The strikes came during active Geneva negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. Multiple sources, including Russian and non-aligned media, have characterized the timing as evidence that the talks were "a cover operation" for military planning.
Confirmed Strike Targets Inside Iran
Based on cross-referencing Iranian state media (IRNA, PressTV), OSINT channels, and Russian military correspondents on the ground in Tehran:
- Tehran: Supreme Leader Khamenei's residential compound (satellite imagery confirms "several buildings leveled" — NYT); Supreme National Security Council headquarters; Ministry of Intelligence; Iran's Atomic Energy Organization headquarters; former President Ahmadinejad's residence (3 guards killed, Ahmadinejad survived)
- Western Iran: Missile launch sites across Kermanshah province (described as "massive" and repeated strikes); targets in Markazi Province (Kheyr Abad industrial zone near Arak)
- Northwestern Iran: Tabriz struck at least four times; Sahand University of Technology area; Zanjan
- Southern Iran: Minab (girls' elementary school — see below); Bandar Kangan (Bushehr Province coast); Kish Island naval base; Shiraz (30 IDF-USAF strikes in 30 minutes per CIG Telegram)
- Southeastern Iran: Chabahar port city, IRGC naval base ("Imam Ali base")
Iranian Red Crescent reports strikes have affected more than 20 of Iran's 31 provinces. Internet has been cut across much of the country (confirmed by reports of disrupted access to images and communications from inside Iran).
Iran's Retaliation: Operation True Promise 4
The IRGC declared "Operation True Promise 4" (عملیات وعده صادق ۴) and the regular Iranian Army separately announced drone operations. Iran has struck targets in at least seven countries:
- Bahrain: US 5th Fleet headquarters in Manama; AN/FPS-132 Block 5 early warning radar destroyed by Shahed-136 drone (system valued at $1.1 billion, installed 2013); multiple additional missile impacts
- Qatar: Al-Udeid airbase struck repeatedly; intercepted missile debris fell on residential area in Al Wakra; US radar on northern Qatar "seriously damaged" per Qatari MOD; explosions in Doha continuing through afternoon
- UAE: Al Dhafra airbase struck; emergency alerts in Abu Dhabi; Iranian ballistic missile impact in Dubai (Palm Jumeirah area, Dubai Marina); multiple rounds of strikes
- Kuwait: Ali Al Salem airbase struck with ballistic missiles (confirmed by Kuwait's MOD via Al Jazeera Arabic); drones directed at base in later waves
- Israel: Continuous missile volleys toward Tel Aviv and central Israel; massive interceptor expenditure documented; at least one confirmed building impact in Gush Dan area; missile impact in Ashkelon; sirens across northern Israel
- Jordan: US base struck (at least one confirmed impact)
- Iraq: Al Harir airbase in northern Iraq struck (major US logistics hub)
- Saudi Arabia: Riyadh and Eastern Province struck; Saudi Arabia says attacks were "intercepted" but calls them "cowardly" and "reserves the right to respond"
- Syria: Explosions in Damascus and Daraa provinces; 4 killed in Suweida
The IRGC also claims to have struck a US combat support vessel (MST) with missiles from the IRGC Navy. No US confirmation.
Iran's tactical approach has been described by multiple analysts as fundamentally different from the June 2025 confrontation: ballistic missiles led the first wave (rather than drones), with Shahed-136 drones following to strike targets with degraded air defenses.
Casualties
Iranian civilian casualties:
- Minab girls' elementary school ("Shajara Tayyiba"): 63 dead, 92 wounded per governor of Minab via IRNA (toll has risen from initial reports of 5, to 24, to 40, to 51, to 53, to 63 across the day). Students still being recovered from rubble.
- Tehran: 3 civilians killed in one district per SNN/TASS
- Strikes have hit over 20 provinces
Iranian military casualties:
- FM Araghchi acknowledged Iran "may have lost one or two commanders" — the first Iranian admission of military losses
- Reuters (via TASS) reported Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzade and IRGC Commander Mohammad Pakpour may have been killed. Unconfirmed by Iran.
Coalition casualties:
- IRGC claims approximately 200 US military personnel killed or wounded across targeted bases. No US confirmation or denial.
- US personnel confirmed present on Bahrain naval base during strikes (despite earlier evacuation reports)
Khamenei's status:
- Israeli Channel 12 reported he was killed ("chance of survival is zero"). FM Araghchi told NBC: "As far as I'm aware, Iran's President and Supreme Leader are alive." No proof of life has been produced. The televised Khamenei address announced by Iranian media has not materialized.
International Responses
Supporting or participating in the strikes:
- United States: Initiated strikes; Trump stated "all I want is freedom for the Iranian people"; cancelled a planned national address with no explanation
- Israel: Co-initiated strikes; IDF publishing footage of launcher strikes in western Iran
- United Kingdom: PM Starmer announced RAF participating in intercepting Iranian strikes on Israeli and US targets — after earlier Troika statement claiming non-involvement
- Canada: PM Carney backed strikes, saying Canada supports "preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons"
Condemning or distancing:
- Russia: Formal condemnation of "premeditated and unprovoked armed aggression"; Putin convened Security Council meeting on Iran; decisions not publicly disclosed; requested emergency UNSC session jointly with China
- China: Joint UNSC emergency session request with Russia; Guancha providing selective coverage (school narrative, IRGC radar destruction); no formal MFA political statement in our data
- France: Called for emergency UNSC session; Macron warned of "serious consequences for international peace and security"; stated non-involvement in strikes
- Germany: Stated non-involvement in strikes (Troika statement)
- Spain: Condemned strikes as "unilateral"
- Norway: Condemned strikes
- Brazil: Condemned "US and Israeli aggression"
- Colombia: President Petro called strikes "a mistake"
- Pakistan: Condemned "unwarranted attacks"
- Turkey: Presidential administration stated Turkey "will not allow use of its territory or airspace" and denied supporting strikes
- Oman: Foreign minister expressed dismay that "active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined"; called for UNSC meeting
- Egypt: Condemned Iranian strikes on Arab countries (distinct formulation)
- Saudi Arabia: Condemned "flagrant Iranian aggression and violation of sovereignty" of UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan "in the strongest possible terms"; reserves right to respond; notably did NOT condemn original US-Israeli strikes
- EU: Von der Leyen called developments "very concerning"; called for maximum restraint; evacuating non-essential staff from region
- UN: Secretary-General Guterres condemned both sides' strikes; UN Special Rapporteur on Iran said strikes were conducted "in violation of the UN Charter and without Security Council authorization"
Ceasefire efforts:
- Qatar Emir and Saudi Crown Prince called for "immediate halt to escalations and return to negotiating table"
- US reportedly demanded Iran cease fire through Italian diplomatic channels (per Pars Today via Boris Rozhin) — unconfirmed
- Indonesia offered to mediate
- Oman called for UN Security Council meeting
Military-Technical Observations
- Air superiority not achieved: As of hour 8, CIG Telegram assesses no US/Israeli aircraft have penetrated Iranian airspace. All strikes appear to be standoff weapons (cruise missiles, long-range munitions). Iranian air defense network described as "still very much functional."
- US using kamikaze drones: Fox News reported US first-time use of kamikaze drones against Iran.
- Interceptor depletion: Multiple sources flag unsustainable interceptor expenditure. CIG documented 2–3 interceptor missiles used per incoming Iranian ballistic missile. Financial Times reported US could "easily expend annual stockpiles of critical defense munitions."
- Iranian mobile launchers: Hundreds of mobile launchers; coalition striking Kermanshah launch sites but "hunting each one will be long" (Rozhin).
- Rosatom: Evacuated 94 people from Bushehr nuclear plant, including all employees' children. Russian specialists remain at plant.
- Airspace: Skies over most Middle Eastern countries closed. Emirates suspended all flights. Dubai airports closed. Qatar switching to remote learning March 1.
Exile Dimension
Reza Pahlavi, son of the deposed Shah, called on Iranians to prepare for "the last battle" against the ayatollahs, characterizing the strikes as "humanitarian intervention." This framing echoes the 1999 Kosovo precedent and has been carried primarily by Russian channels to illustrate the regime-change dimension.
Operation Naming
- US: "Operation Epic Fury"
- Israel: "Shield of Judea" → renamed "Roar of the Lion" mid-day
- Iran: "Operation True Promise 4" (عملیات وعده صادق ۴) — continuing the naming convention from previous Iran-Israel confrontations
This backgrounder is compiled from monitoring ~1,150 Telegram messages across 36 channels and ~300 web articles from 20+ sources. All claims are attributed to their sources. Items marked "unconfirmed" lack independent verification. Updated as the situation develops.