Israel and US Launch Joint Strikes on Iran; Tehran Vows Retaliation
Tehran: Israel and the United States have carried out joint airstrikes on Iran’s capital, Tehran, triggering emergency sirens and escalating tensions across the region. Iran has also announced preparations for a retaliatory response.
According to media reports, the Israeli defense minister confirmed that the strikes were conducted jointly with the United States, with the US Air Force participating in the operation. At least three powerful explosions were heard in Tehran following the attack. Reports also indicated strikes in Bushehr, while Iran’s navy was placed on high alert.
Nearly 20 American and Israeli fighter jets were reportedly seen flying over Syria’s Daraa region toward Iran. US President Donald Trump, in an emergency statement, announced the launch of a large-scale military operation named “Epic Fury” against Iran. He stated that Iran had long threatened US interests in the region and declared that Washington would not allow Tehran to obtain nuclear weapons. Trump warned that the Iranian navy and missile program would be targeted and said members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would be granted immunity if they surrendered, otherwise facing severe consequences.
An Israeli defense official said the operation had been planned for months and described it as a preemptive strike aimed at neutralizing an imminent threat from Iran. The official indicated that coordinated attacks would continue for four days, potentially altering the situation in Tehran.
ISRAEL LAUNCH ‘PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE’ ON TEHRAN — RT EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE pic.twitter.com/UOmD66Mk1Q
— RT (@RT_com) February 28, 2026
Russian media claimed the airstrike was led by Israel and resulted in the deaths of several Iranian military commanders, with intelligence headquarters reportedly among the targets. Iranian media stated that missiles struck University Street and the Jomhuri area in Tehran, while attacks were also reported in Qom, Khorramabad, and Isfahan. There were additional reports of Mehrabad Airport being targeted.
Sources suggested that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was not in Tehran at the time and had been moved to a secure location. Iran has closed its airspace, while Iraq has suspended air traffic. Israel has also shut its airspace and declared a state of emergency, closing schools and instructing citizens to remain in safe locations.
Israeli officials described the strikes as the first wave of attacks, with further operations expected. Reports indicated that key government sites, including the information ministry and the presidential complex, were targeted, and there were attempts to strike the Iranian president.
Meanwhile, an Iranian official stated that preparations were underway for a “powerful response” to the US-Israeli attacks, warning that Israel had chosen a path whose consequences it could not control.
