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LIVE: Reports Suggest Iran's Defence Minister Killed in Pre-Emptive Israeli Strikes

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28 Feb 2026 12:24 PM IST

Israel, in coordination with the United States, begins military operation targeting what Netanyahu calls an “existential nuclear threat” from Iran; thanks Donald Trump and urges Israelis to follow Home Front Command guidelines.

LIVE: Reports Suggest Irans Defence Minister Killed in Pre-Emptive Israeli Strikes
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Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday, with the country’s defense minister declaring a state of emergency across the country. (AFP)

The U.S. and Israel launched a major attack on targets across Iran on Saturday.

U.S. President Donald Trump urged Iranians to take cover during the strikes, but then said “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take.” It was an extraordinary appeal that suggested the allies could be seeking to end of the country’s theocracy after decades of tensions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed that sweeping goal. “Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands,” Netanyahu said.

In a video posted on social media, Trump claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach the U.S.

The first strikes of the attack appeared to target the compound home to Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in downtown Tehran. It wasn’t immediately clear if he was there at the time. Smoke could be seen rising from the Iranian capital.

Iran responded as it had been threatening to do for months — first launching a wave of missiles and drones targeting Israel. It followed with strikes targeting U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar. The United Arab Emirates and Iraq shut down their airspace.



Tel Aviv: Israel launched a daylight attack Saturday on Iran's capital , with a cloud of smoke rising from the city's downtown. The first apparent strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iranian media reported strikes nationwide.
The United States is participating in the strikes, according to a U.S. official and a person familiar with the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive military operations. It was not clear the full extent of the American involvement. The White House declined to immediately comment.
It also wasn’t immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei was in his offices at the time. He hasn’t been seen publicly in days as tensions with the United States have grown. The attack comes as the United States has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.
Roads to Khamenei's compound in downtown Tehran had been shut down by authorities as other blasts rang out across the capital. Neighboring Iraq closed its airspace, according to the Ministry of Transport.
Targets in the Israeli campaign included Iran's military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information on the attack.
Trump wanted a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear program, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests . Iran had hoped to avert a war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile program or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
It wasn't immediately clear if Iran would immediately strike back, but it had warned that American military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targets for any retaliation.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done “to remove threats.” He did not immediately elaborate.
Several hospitals in Israel launched their emergency protocols, including moving patients and surgeries to underground facilities.
In Tehran, witnesses heard the first blast by Khamenei's office. Iranian state television later reported on the explosion, without offering a cause.
Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time as it closed its airspace. The Israeli military said that it had issued a “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel.”
More explosions struck Iran’s capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities have offered no casualty information from the strikes.
Meanwhile, Iran shut down its airspace and mobile phone services were cut.
The warning to pilots came out as explosions rang out across Tehran, the Iranian capital.


Live Updates

2026-02-28 06:54:36
  • 28 Feb 2026 2:38 PM IST

    The Pentagon on Saturday has dubbed the US combat operations over Iran as "Operation Epic Fury."

    The formal title, announced via a social media post, formalises the combat operations over Iran as a major US military operation.

    The Trump administration similarly formalised last year's strikes on Iran's nuclear sites as "Operation Midnight Hammer" and his strike to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this year as "Operation Absolute Resolve

  • 28 Feb 2026 2:33 PM IST

    Explosions heard in northern Israel as the country works to intercept incoming Iranian missiles after launching a nationwide attack with U.S. on Iran.

  • 28 Feb 2026 2:27 PM IST

    Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday announced the launch of a joint military operation with the United States against Iran, describing it as a decisive step to eliminate what he termed an “existential threat” posed by the Iranian regime.

    Addressing the nation, Netanyahu said the operation—named “Operation Roaring Lion”—aims to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. He thanked former US President Donald Trump for his “historic leadership” and support.

    Netanyahu accused Iran’s leadership of fuelling regional instability, supporting terrorism, and threatening both Israel and the United States for decades. He asserted that the action was necessary to safeguard Israel’s security and protect global stability.

    The Prime Minister also called on various ethnic groups within Iran to “rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny” and work towards a “free and peace-seeking Iran.”

    Urging calm at home, Netanyahu appealed to Israeli citizens to strictly adhere to the directives of the Home Front Command, warning that the coming days would require “patience and fortitude.”

    Further details about the scale and scope of the operation were not immediately disclosed.

  • 28 Feb 2026 2:17 PM IST

    Israel Defense Forces say missiles were identified from Iran, interception systems deployed; Home Front Command issues precautionary mobile alerts in affected areas.

  • 28 Feb 2026 1:58 PM IST

    Israel issues nationwide warning after Iran reportedly launches missiles.


  • 28 Feb 2026 1:50 PM IST

    Trump acknowledges that there could be American casualties following Iran strikes, saying 'that often happens in war.'



  • 28 Feb 2026 1:46 PM IST

    Israeli strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. State television acknowledged an explosion in the area of the offices.


  • 28 Feb 2026 1:41 PM IST



  • 28 Feb 2026 1:35 PM IST

    President Donald Trump has appealed to the Iranian people to “take over your government” after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran. He said: “It will be yours to take.”




  • 28 Feb 2026 1:21 PM IST

    Trump said that the US will ensure Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons


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( Source : AP )
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