Israel attacks Iran with US help amid nuclear talks; Tehran hits back with missiles
Mangalore Today News Network
New Delhi, Feb 28, 2026: Israel, with the help of the United States, launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran on Saturday, pushing the Middle East into a renewed military confrontation and further dimming hopes for a diplomatic solution to Tehran’s long-running nuclear dispute with the West. The first apparent strike happened near the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian media reported strikes nationwide.
Khamenei is reportedly not in Tehran and has been moved to a secure location, an official told Reuters.
Ali Khamenei and Masoud Pezeshkian were both targeted in recent strikes carried out by United States and Israel, but the outcome of the attacks remains unclear, an Israeli official told Reuters, as tensions surrounding Iran continue to escalate.
An Israeli defence official said the operation had been planned for months and the launch date was decided weeks ago.
Supreme National Security Council said in a statement that, based on intelligence obtained from Israel and the United States, their operations in Tehran and other cities would continue, while urging citizens to remain calm and, if possible, travel to safer locations elsewhere.
An Iranian military official declined to comment when asked whether the country’s supreme leader or president had been targeted.
Amir Hatami is safe and continuing to actively command the armed forces, his office said, dismissing speculation about his status amid the escalating tensions involving Iran.
An official from the Israel Defense Forces said Israeli strikes had targeted Iranian “essential personnel” who were allegedly part of plans to destroy Israel, signalling that the campaign is focused not only on infrastructure but also on key figures linked to strategic operations.
Several senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a number of political officials have been killed in joint strikes by United States and Israel, an Iranian source close to the establishment told Reuters, signalling a potentially significant blow to Tehran’s military leadership structure.
The reported deaths, if confirmed, would mark one of the most serious direct losses for Iran since the latest escalation began, and could sharply raise the risk of further retaliation as tensions spiral across the region.
Iran strikes back
Just moments after Israel’s strike, Iran hit back and launched missiles towards Israel. Explosions rocked northern Israel as the country worked to intercept incoming Iranian missiles.
The blasts echoed just after the Israeli military said it would be using its air defence systems to bring down the Iranian fire.
There was no immediate word on any damage or casualties from the ongoing attack.
Several U.S. bases in Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain are under attack by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, signalling a sharp escalation in regional tensions involving the United States and Iran.
Explosions and emergency sirens were reported near a U.S. military base in Qatar after Iran launched retaliatory attacks following joint U.S.–Israeli strikes on Tehran, according to media reports.
Qatar said its air defences shot down all missiles targeting the country, according to the state news agency, as tensions surged following Iranian strikes across the region. The UAE also reported intercepting several missiles launched by Iran, signalling a widening arc of confrontation beyond the initial flashpoints.
In neighbouring Iraq, airstrikes hit headquarters of the Hashd Shaabi PMF south of Baghdad, killing one person and wounding three, a spokesperson said.
Trump confirms US involvement
Shortly after the attack, US President Donald Trump said that the United States had begun "major combat operations" in Iran. He warned that the US is going to destroy Iran’s missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.
"We’re going to annihilate their navy,” he said in a strongly worded statement. Americans may be lost, and we may have casualties, he said, adding that Iran is developing long-range missiles that threaten the United States and other countries.
"Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," Trump said in a video shared on social media.
Trump appealed to the Iranian people to “take over your government” after the strikes on Iran. He said, “It will be yours to take.”
The attack, coming after Israel and Iran engaged in a 12-day air war in June, follows repeated US-Israeli warnings that they would strike again if Iran pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
Israel shuts airspace, schools
The Israel Airports Authority said the transport minister has closed Israeli airspace to civilian flights, adding that the public has been requested not to come to Israeli airports.
Sirens sounded across Israel. The Israeli military said that the “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel.”
The Israeli military said schools across Israel have been closed, the public has been advised to work from home, and public gatherings have been banned.
Meanwhile, Qatar Airways announced a temporary suspension of flights after Qatari authorities closed national airspace, underscoring the growing disruption to civilian activity as the crisis deepens.
Indian Embassy issues advisory
The Indian Embassy in Iran issued an advisory for its citizens, urging them to exercise “utmost caution” and "remain indoors as far as possible” amid the ongoing regional tensions.
"In view of the developing situation, all Indian nationals in Iran are advised to exercise utmost caution, avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors as far as possible,” the embassy said in a post on X.
It further said that all the Indian nationals may also consider to monitor news, maintain social awareness and await any further guidance from the Embassy of india.
IndiGo, Air India operations affected
IndiGo said it is closely monitoring developments in the region concerning Iran and its airspace. The airline stressed that the safety and security of its customers and crew remain its top priority, and its teams are ready to make any necessary adjustments as the situation evolves.
Passengers are advised to check their flight status before departure, and any updates will be communicated promptly via registered contact details. IndiGo added that it will continue to keep travelers informed and provide full support during this period.
Air India said flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv was diverted to Mumbai due to Israel airspace closure.
US-Iran negotiations
The U.S. and Iran renewed negotiations in February in a bid to resolve the decades-long dispute through diplomacy and avert the threat of a military confrontation that could destabilise the region.
Israel, however, insisted that any U.S. deal with Iran must include the dismantling of Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure, not just stopping the enrichment process, and lobbied Washington to include restrictions on Iran’s missile programme in the talks.
Iran said it was prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for lifting sanctions but ruled out linking the issue to missiles.
Tehran also said it would defend itself against any attack.
It warned neighbouring countries hosting U.S. troops that it would retaliate against American bases if Washington struck Iran.
In June, the U.S. joined an Israeli military campaign against Iranian nuclear installations, in the most direct American military action ever against the Islamic Republic.
Tehran retaliated by launching missiles toward the U.S. Al Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest in the Middle East.
Western powers have warned that Iran’s ballistic missile project threatens regional stability and could deliver nuclear weapons if developed. Tehran denies seeking atomic bombs.
Other nations react
A spokesperson for the UK Government said Britain has recently strengthened its military posture in the Middle East, stressing that the move forms part of its longstanding commitment to protecting regional allies and maintaining defensive capabilities amid rising tensions.
The spokesperson added that Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, underscoring that London continues to back diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a negotiated solution to concerns over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Anthony Albanese said Australia supports U.S. actions aimed at preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and stopping it from continuing to threaten international security, underscoring allied backing as the crisis widens.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry on Saturday blamed Iran’s leadership for the ongoing escalation, saying Kyiv stands with the Iranian people and reiterating its call for regime change.
"The cause of the current events is precisely the violence and impunity of the Iranian regime, in particular the killings and repression of peaceful protesters, which have become particularly widespread in recent months," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Ursula von der Leyen said the latest developments in Iran are "greatly concerning," adding that the European Union remains in close contact with partners across the region as tensions escalate.
She reaffirmed the bloc’s "steadfast commitment to safeguarding regional security and stability," signalling continued diplomatic engagement as fears grow of a wider conflict.
A German government spokesperson said Berlin had been informed in advance on Saturday morning about Israel’s military strikes on Iran, indicating that at least some allies were notified ahead of the operation.
Maxime Prévot, the foreign minister of Belgium, called on all sides involved in the conflict to ensure the protection of civilian lives at all times, stressing the need to uphold humanitarian safeguards amid escalating tensions.
Russia has urged an immediate halt to strikes on Iran, warning that such military actions risk triggering wider instability across the region.