Israel has launched a daylight preemptive attack against multiple Iranian targets, with the U.S. now joining the operation.
Israel and the U.S. have launched on Feb. 28 a new wave of strikes against Iran, in what Israel has called a “preemptive attack.” Details are still fragmentary, but it appears multiple targets across Iran, including the capital Tehran, were hit in broad daylight, and a first Iranian retaliation might be in progress.
Epic Fury / Roaring Lion
The U.S. Department of Defense announced in a post on social media that the U.S. operation has been named “Operation Epic Fury,” while Israel appears to have named its own operation “Roaring Lion.” According to reports, the attack appears to have started at around 8:10 am local time, with both U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu releasing statements shortly thereafter.
OPERATION EPIC FURY 🇺🇸
— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) February 28, 2026
🇮🇱 🤝 🇺🇸 OPERATION ROARING LION: The IDF and the U.S Armed Forces have launched a broad & joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel over time.
The Iranian regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel.…
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026
Netanyahu says that “Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran.” The statement also hinted at regime change being a goal: “Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands. The time has come for all segments of the Iranian people – the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Baluchis, and the Ahwazis – to throw off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran.”
Trump similarly said that the “U.S. military began major combat operations in Iran,” with the objective to “defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.” Trump reiterated that “they can never have a nuclear weapon,” and “we can’t take it anymore.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2026
First Reports
Multiple government buildings appear to have been targeted in the initial strikes.
Western source tells Fox: Attacks on the Iranian Parliament, National Supreme Council, Ministry of Inteligence, Iranian Atomic Agency.
Cyber attacks on news agencies, such as IRNA.
— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) February 28, 2026
This video, posted by a semi-official Iranian news agency, shows thick smoke rising near Pasteur St (خیابان پاستور), where key government institutions are located. Point-of-view is southwest. Geolocation in tweet below. pic.twitter.com/uPzsipAnPd
— Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) February 28, 2026
According to Iranian media, missiles also struck the area near the Iranian presidential palace and the compound of the Supreme Leader Khamenei. Reports say he might have been already evacuated before the launch of the attacks.
SEVEN MISSILES HIT AREA NEAR PRESIDENTIAL PALACE AND SUPREME LEADER KHAMENEI’S COMPOUND – TASNIM REPORTS
— Phil Stewart (@phildstewart) February 28, 2026
Israel is confirmed to have launched “preemptive strikes” this morning against Iran. pic.twitter.com/KAMo8oldTe
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 28, 2026
The U.S. airstrikes appear to have been complemented by attacks with Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from U.S. Navy warships. Multiple missiles were caught on video while reportedly flying at low altitude over Iraq and then over Iran’s capital Tehran.
Footage of 21 Tomahawk cruise missiles headed towards Tehran this morning. pic.twitter.com/CYyJNjbICb
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026
U.S. Navy Tomahawk cruise missile flying over Tehran, Iran, this morning. pic.twitter.com/6FiuzvurL7
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026
A video appears to show an Iranian MiG-29 in flight over Tehran, however there are no reports of aerial confrontation with Israeli and U.S. aircraft.
Iranian MiG 29 jet scrambled above Tehran pic.twitter.com/glzsQyhB15
— Arya – آریا (@AryJeay) February 28, 2026
Both Iraqi and Syrian airspaces appear to have been used by aircraft on their way in to strike Iranian targets. Boosters associated with the Israeli Blue Sparrow air launched ballistic missile were found in Iraq, while fighters were seen in flight over Syria.
Israeli Blue-Sparrow series missile boosters found in Iraq. The same boosters were also found after previous Israeli strikes on Iran. pic.twitter.com/iURpTEptAe
— Trevor Ball (@Easybakeovensz) February 28, 2026
It is reported that about 20 U.S. and Israeli fighter jets are flying over Daraa, Syria, to bomb Iran. pic.twitter.com/AzspAq2WCn
— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝕯𝔢𝔞𝔡 𝕯𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔠𝔱△ 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇺🇲🇬🇷 (@TheDeadDistrict) February 28, 2026
Initial Retaliation
Within two hours from the beginning of the joint Israel-U.S. attack, Iran has launched a first retaliation.
The IDF posted on social media that a barrage of missiles was launched against Israel, with air defenses at work to intercept the threats.
A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel.
Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026
Intercepts appear to have taken place also outside of the Israeli airspace, with debris also found in Syria.
One of the interceptor missiles fell a short while ago in the city of Inkhil in the countryside of #Daraa. The skies over Daraa Governorate are still witnessing continuous aircraft activity as a result of the war between #Iran and the United States. pic.twitter.com/OHWvL3YZvr
— Mohammad Alasakra (@mohammed_asakra) February 28, 2026
Attacks appear to have targeted also U.S. bases in the region, with reports of interceptions and air defense activity over Abu Dhabi.
Iranian ballistic missile interceptions reported over the city of Abu Dhabi. pic.twitter.com/6GpFnjF7qR
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026
Smoke was also spotted rising from the U.S. 5th Fleet support center in Bahrain, after reports of explosions being heard. A missile was also videoed while impacting within the perimeter of the base.
Footage of an Iranian ballistic missile slamming into the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain earlier today. pic.twitter.com/6omkCrLy2u
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026
The U.S. 5th Fleet support center was targeted in the Iranian strike in Bahrain. Additionally, we are now seeing reports of explosions in multiple other U.S. partner nations, including Kuwait, Jordan, and the UAE. https://t.co/HvjfxsQMSa
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 28, 2026
This is a developing story, we will make sure to update it once new details are available.
