Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.
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TEL AVIV — The U.S. and Israel have launched strikes towards Iran, amid weeks of escalating tensions and heightened U.S. army presence within the area.
“A short time ago the United States military began major combat operations in Iran,” U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned in a video posted to his Fact Social account.
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. It’s menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas and our allies throughout the world,” he mentioned.
Trump mentioned the U.S. had “sought repeatedly to make a deal” however Iran “rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions.”
“We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground,” Trump vowed.
Trump informed the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to “lay down your arms… or you will face certain death.”
To the Iranian folks he mentioned “your hour of freedom is at hand… when we are finished take over your government, it will be yours to take.”
The Israeli army mentioned missiles have been launched towards Israeli territory.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned the objective of the joint US Israeli strikes is to cite “remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran.”
Netanyahu mentioned in a video: “Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.”
An individual briefed on the operation informed NPR it was anticipated to final a couple of days, with Israel’s army specializing in concentrating on Iran’s missile program.
A 48-hour state of emergency has been declared nationwide. Air raid sirens sounded throughout Israel at roughly 8:15 a.m. native time, warning civilians to organize to enter bomb shelters.
Israel has closed its airspace to all passenger flights, and civil protection protocols have been activated. Regional army forces stay on excessive alert.
Iranian authorities media report rocket hearth in components of the capital, Tehran. State tv has broadcast footage displaying smoke rising after a blast within the metropolis. The extent of the harm and potential casualties has not but been confirmed.
The strike follows weeks of hypothesis about potential army motion towards Iran, notably amid a big U.S. army buildup within the Center East.
This can be a creating story and might be up to date.
