Democracy Dies in Darkness
Updated
February 28, 2026 at 9:48 a.m. EST
The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, as President Donald Trump announced “major combat operations” on Saturday, vowing to decimate Tehran’s military and fuel a change in government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint attack would last “as long as needed,” unleashing a conflict that threatens to engulf the region. With explosions rocking Tehran and other cities, Iran pledged a “crushing” retaliation and targeted U.S. military bases in the Persian Gulf. The U.S. has in recent days amassed an immense strike force in the region, while pressing Iran to dismantle its nuclear program in negotiations that failed to reach a resolution.
What we know so far
- Explosions were reported in cities across Iran as the United States and Israel launched an offensive against the Iranian government and its missile and nuclear programs. The operations are expected to run through at least the weekend, a U.S. official said.
- Iran promised to retaliate by targeting U.S. bases across the Middle East. The Post verified at least one attack, on the U.S. Navy headquarters in Bahrain. Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait also said they engaged air defenses to intercept Iranian missile fire.
- Israel declared a state of emergency across the country, and civilians have been told to shelter in place.
- President Donald Trump, in a prerecorded address that was released shortly after the strikes began, called on Iranian civilians to “take over” the government once the attacks finish.
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, and “other senior Iranian officials were targets,” according to a person familiar with the matter.
Trump has ordered strikes in seven countries in his second term
President Donald Trump has ordered strikes in seven countries, in addition to his campaign against alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, in his second term in office. The United States launched strikes against the Islamic State in Nigeria on Christmas Day; and in Syria on several occasions since December; and a Special Operations raid in Venezuela early Jan. 3, in which U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and killed an estimated 75 people. Trump has also previously ordered strikes in Iran, Iraq, Somalia and Yemen.
English (US) · 