The US and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury on Iran early Saturday, February 28, 2026, sending shockwaves through the Middle East and sparking immediate talk of World War 3 as explosions rocked Tehran and retaliation flew across the region.
President Donald Trump confirmed the massive joint operation in an eight-minute Truth Social video, calling it a necessary step to stop what he described as a wicked regime threatening America and its allies.
He urged ordinary Iranians to seize the moment and overthrow their government once the dust settles. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the move, saying the strikes targeted missile sites, IRGC bases, and key leadership spots to prevent bigger dangers ahead.
The Pentagon named its part Operation Epic Fury, while Israel called theirs Roaring Lion or Lion’s Roar. Strikes hit Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah, with reports of heavy damage to military headquarters, nuclear-linked facilities, and places tied to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Some Israeli sources claimed the supreme leader might have been killed or cut off, though Iran’s foreign minister told NBC News he’s alive as far as they know, and state TV promised a speech from him soon.
Senior figures like advisor Ali Shamkhani were confirmed dead, with strong signs that IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpour and Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh didn’t survive either.
Iran fired back fast. Missiles and drones headed toward Israel and US bases in the Gulf, with interceptions over Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan. One civilian died in Abu Dhabi from shrapnel, and Dubai’s airports shut down completely, grounding hundreds of flights and snarling global travel.
Tehran claimed over 40 girls died when a school near an IRGC base took a hit, calling it a deliberate attack on civilians. They promised a crushing response and warned the fight could drag on.
Oil prices spiked hard as the Strait of Hormuz came under threat – that narrow waterway moves a huge chunk of the world’s crude. Airlines rerouted or cancelled routes, burning extra fuel while markets braced for more disruption.
The UN Security Council called an emergency meeting, with Secretary-General António Guterres condemning the escalation and pushing for an immediate stop to hostilities.
This comes after months of buildup. Nuclear talks in Geneva collapsed just days ago, with the US demanding Iran dismantle key sites and ship out enriched uranium – demands Tehran rejected. Protests inside Iran have raged over economic pain and crackdowns, giving Trump and Netanyahu a window to act.
The US surged forces into the region late last year, and now the joint hits mark the most direct confrontation yet between these powers and Tehran.
Reactions split fast. Supporters in the US and Israel praised it as a long-overdue defence against a nuclear threat and terror sponsors. Critics around the world called it reckless, warning of a wider war that could pull in more countries.
Some cheered what they saw as the end of the regime; others feared millions caught in the crossfire.
For people in the Middle East, the day felt surreal. Families in Tehran rushed for shelter as blasts shook neighbourhoods. Gulf states scrambled defences while civilians watched flight boards turn red.
In Israel, air raid alerts sent people to bunkers as incoming threats got intercepted overhead. The strikes aimed to cripple Iran’s military and nuclear path, but retaliation showed Tehran still has teeth.
As Saturday wears on, questions pile up. Will Khamenei appear and rally the nation? Can talks restart, or does this spiral into something bigger? Trump hinted at days of operations ahead, and Iran signalled readiness for more.
The Middle East holds its breath, knowing one misstep could drag the whole region – and maybe beyond – into deeper conflict.
Oil keeps climbing, skies stay closed in spots, and leaders scramble for words. Operation Epic Fury has changed the map overnight, and whether it ends the threat or lights a bigger fuse remains anyone’s guess right now.
