Middle East in flames: Celebrations in Tehran over the death of Ali Khamenei; President Masoud Pezeshkian is currently leading the country

Unconfirmed reports that Khamenei’s daughter and son-in-law were killed in an airstrike
The information was conveyed by a member of the municipal council of Tehran.

28/02/2026 20:37
Conversation between Mitsotakis and Christodoulides on developments in the Middle East

28/02/2026 20:33
What was discussed at the KYSEA: Priority on the safety of Greek populations and maritime navigation in the Middle East
Security measures are being upgraded for targets of U.S. and Israeli interest, such as the NATO bases of Souda and Alexandroupoli, as well as the U.S. and Israeli embassies.

28/02/2026 20:33
Mamdani tightens security measures in New York, condemns attacks on Iran
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city is implementing enhanced security measures and condemned the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.

“Today’s military strikes against Iran — carried out by the United States and Israel — mark a devastating escalation in an illegal war of aggression,” he wrote on X.

“Americans do not want this,” Mamdani added, noting he met President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. “They do not want another war aimed at regime change. They want relief from the affordability crisis. They want peace. I am focused on ensuring every New Yorker is safe.”

28/02/2026 20:28
Vance in the operations room
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance was in the operations room monitoring the strikes on Iran alongside Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, according to a source familiar with the matter.

All participated in a teleconference with President Donald Trump and his team at Mar-a-Lago, the same source told CNN.

28/02/2026 20:23
Kuwait: Three lightly injured, minimal damage from Iranian attack
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that Iran attacked the Ali al-Salem Air Base, resulting in light injuries to three soldiers and minimal material damage, according to a post in Arabic on X. The ministry stressed that this “has not affected the unit’s operational readiness or combat capability.”

28/02/2026 20:17
Ministry of National Defense: Routine measures at Souda
Routine security measures for such cases are being implemented at Souda, while the airport is operating normally, the Ministry of National Defense said.

28/02/2026 20:15
Hellenic Coast Guard: Navigation safety update for the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, and the wider region
Following further escalation of military operations in the area, the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy and the Hellenic Coast Guard state that, based on fully corroborated information, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iran’s Navy are broadcasting messages declaring that the Strait of Hormuz is closed until further notice.

In this context, intense activity of fast military skiffs monitoring shipping traffic has been recorded. At the same time, Qatar’s Ministry of Transport is calling on shipowners to temporarily suspend maritime navigation in the wider area for safety reasons.

The Coast Guard Operations Center sent an updated advisory to the maritime community. The Operations Room is continuously monitoring the situation to ensure the maximum possible protection of Greek shipping.

28/02/2026 20:13
De-escalation message from Israel to Lebanon
Israel sent a de-escalation message to the Lebanese government via the United States, Lebanon’s presidency said.

According to the statement, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun received a message from the U.S. ambassador “confirming that the Israeli side has no intention of escalating against Lebanon, provided there are no hostile actions from Lebanon.”

Aoun’s government is hostile to Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in Lebanon, and to Iranian interference in the country. This stance is likely aimed at pressuring Hezbollah to avoid dragging Lebanon into war by attacking Israel.

28/02/2026 20:09
Schools in Israel closed until Monday
Israeli schools will remain closed following today’s joint U.S.–Israeli attack, with all educational activities suspended until Monday at 8 p.m., Education Minister Yoav Kisch announced.

28/02/2026 20:00
Merz: Germany committed to Israel’s security, did not take part in the attacks
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany remains committed to Israel’s security and is coordinating closely with the United States, Israel, and regional partners, stressing that Germany did not participate in the strikes on Iranian targets.

28/02/2026 19:56
Iranian Red Crescent: More than 200 dead, at least 747 injured
The Red Crescent reports casualties across 24 provinces nationwide.

28/02/2026 19:52
Israeli media: Netanyahu statement shortly

28/02/2026 19:51
Israel signaled a strike (also) on Isfahan
The Israeli military issued an “urgent warning” to residents in an industrial zone in Isfahan, announcing an imminent airstrike on military infrastructure.

28/02/2026 19:50
IDF confirm targeting Khamenei and Pezeshkian
An Israeli official said the joint airstrikes by Israeli and U.S. forces targeted locations where Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were present, adding that the results are “not yet clear.”

28/02/2026 19:48
IDF: Citizens may leave shelters but remain alert

28/02/2026 19:42
Gerapetritis after KYSEA: We guarantee the safety of Greek citizens in the Middle East
Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said the government’s priority is the safety of Greek citizens in the region, noting continuous coordination with partners and that contingency plans for safe evacuation are in place if needed.

28/02/2026 19:40
Former pro-Trump congresswoman condemns strikes on Iran
Former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene condemned the U.S. strikes on Iran as a “betrayal,” arguing voters elected Trump to end foreign interventions.

28/02/2026 19:38
New wave of Iranian ballistic attacks against Israel

28/02/2026 19:34
Sirens in Oman

28/02/2026 19:28
Erdogan: U.S. and Israeli attacks followed Netanyahu’s provocations
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he is deeply saddened and concerned by the U.S. and Israeli attacks on neighboring Iran, which he said followed provocations by Netanyahu.

Saar: Why we attacked now
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that the military action against Iran was urgent “despite the significant risks involved.”

“Delay would have allowed the Iranian regime to gain immunity for its nuclear program, as well as to begin mass production of long-range ballistic missiles,” he said in a statement in English.

28/02/2026 17:37 – Emergency UN Security Council Meeting
The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks. The meeting was scheduled for 11:00 Greek time.

According to the UN, the session will examine “the situation in the Middle East” amid rapid escalation and the exchange of military actions between the involved parties.

The initiative for the emergency session was attributed to France and Bahrain, according to the Israeli delegation at the international organization. The session takes place in a highly charged atmosphere, as tensions between Washington, Tel Aviv, and Tehran have raised international concerns about wider regional destabilization.

Diplomatic sources expect member states to address both the legality of the military actions and the need for immediate de-escalation. Proposals for a joint statement or resolution may also be discussed.

28/02/2026 17:35 – New wave of Israeli attacks on Iran
The Israeli Air Force is conducting a new series of airstrikes against Iranian ballistic missile launchers, the Israeli military announced.

“It is currently attacking missile launchers in Iran to neutralize threats against the State of Israel,” the army said in a statement.

Sirens heard again in central Israel
Warning of a drone in the area of the Dead Sea

28/02/2026 16:42
Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz

28/02/2026 16:39
The official logo of the Israeli operation “Roar of the Lion”

28/02/2026 16:38
Channel 12: Almost zero chance that Khamenei is alive
Sources at Channel 12 estimate that the operation against Iran’s supreme leader was successful. The likelihood that Ali Khamenei survived the Israeli attack is minimal to nonexistent, they said.

28/02/2026 16:34
Araghchi: Almost all officials are fine; it’s not a problem if one or two were lost

28/02/2026 16:30
Khamenei’s son also a target
An Israeli source said that Khamenei’s son was also a target in the morning attack, but apparently was not injured.

28/02/2026 16:29
Associated Press: Iran asks citizens to consider leaving Tehran
Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that authorities turned a central highway linking the capital with northern Iran into a one-way route to handle the heavy outbound traffic.

Iran’s top national security body had earlier advised residents to consider leaving Tehran for safety reasons.

At the same time, increased traffic has been observed at supermarkets.

Araghchi: Khamenei and the president are alive
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC that the country’s Supreme Leader and president are alive.

28/02/2026 16:10
“At least Khamenei has been injured,” Israelis say
Earlier, television station Channel 12 reported that Israel’s assessment was that Ali Khamenei had “at least been injured,” adding that this assessment was not based on satellite images showing the destruction of Khamenei’s presidential compound, but on information from anonymous sources.

According to reports, Khamenei is expected to address the nation shortly. The TV report suggests that, if this happens, the speech will have been prerecorded.

Channel 12 also reports that today’s strikes have caused “very significant damage” to the leadership of the Iranian regime and its military commanders.

28/02/2026 16:10
Reuters: Israel announced it killed Iran’s defence minister and the commander of the Revolutionary Guards
Iran’s Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Pakpour, were killed in Israeli strikes, according to two sources familiar with Israel’s military operations and one regional source cited by Reuters.

The report is based on three sources who confirmed the information.

28/02/2026 16:08
Was Rubio’s trip to Israel, announced yesterday by the State Department, a decoy?
The U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran followed the U.S. State Department announcement on Friday morning that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be in Israel for diplomatic talks on Monday and Tuesday, raising questions among experts and diplomats in the region as to whether the aim was to catch Iran off guard.

The statement said Rubio’s trip would focus on “Iran, Lebanon, and ongoing efforts to implement Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.” The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the announcement was intended as a distraction.

28/02/2026 16:06
Joint statement by Starmer, Macron, Merz: Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes
The United Kingdom, Germany and France condemned Iran’s attacks on countries in the region, stressing that Tehran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes.

The three countries did not comment on the U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a joint statement on Saturday that their countries did not take part in the attacks on Iran, but are in close contact with the United States, Israel and partners in the region.

“We condemn in the strongest terms Iran’s attacks on countries in the region. Iran must refrain from indiscriminate military strikes. We call for a resumption of negotiations and urge the Iranian leadership to pursue a negotiated solution. Ultimately, the Iranian people must be able to determine their own future,” the statement said.

28/02/2026 15:59
Turkey: We are deeply concerned about actions that violate international law
Turkey expressed deep concern over developments in the Middle East, warning of an escalation that endangers the region’s future and global stability.

“The escalation that began with Israeli and U.S. strikes against Iran and continued with Iran targeting third countries endangers the future of the region and global stability,” Turkey’s foreign ministry said, referring to “actions that violate international law and threaten civilians, and condemning provocations that could fuel further violence.”

Ankara called on all sides to immediately halt attacks. “Regional issues must be resolved peacefully. Turkey is ready to provide mediation support.”

28/02/2026 15:53
Land crossing between Israel and Egypt remains open
While Israel has closed its airspace to civilian flights, the Israel Airports Authority announced that the land crossing between Israel and Egypt will remain open 24 hours a day.

At the same time, the land crossing between Israel and Jordan will remain open for pedestrians until 19:00 and for vehicles until 20:00.

28/02/2026 15:50
Donald Trump: All I want is freedom for the people of Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump told The Washington Post that he wants “freedom” for Iranians as U.S. and Israeli forces attack the Islamic regime.

“All I want is freedom for the people,” he said, adding: “I want a safe [Iranian] country, and that’s what we will have.”

28/02/2026 15:47
Iran: Death toll from Israeli strike on girls’ school rises to 60
The number of female students killed in the strike on the Minab Girls’ Primary School has risen to 60, Iran’s health ministry claims.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Hossein Kermanpour, said in a post on X that 60 children lost their lives after Israeli strikes earlier in the day.

According to the spokesperson, 80 children were injured, while the number of pupils who may still be trapped under the rubble remains unknown.

Around 20 Flights Canceled at Eleftherios Venizelos After U.S. Attack on Iran

Approximately 20 flights were canceled at Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport following the U.S. strike on Iran.

Dozens of additional cancellations are already in effect, as the airspace over Israel, Iran, Iraq, parts of Syria, and Bahrain has been closed. Doha has also shut its airspace, while a possible closure in Lebanon is under review. According to reports, Jordan may follow.

🎥WATCH: IDF strikes hundreds of targets in western Iran as part of Operation Roaring Lion pic.twitter.com/KYMYVL8DOQ

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026

28/02/2026 13:50

Israel Releases Video of Strike in Western Iran

The Israel Defense Forces released video footage showing its strikes against Iranian missile launchers in western Iran earlier today. According to the military, hundreds of Iranian military targets were hit in western Iran, including missile launchers.

Syria Closes Airspace for 12 Hours Amid U.S.-Israel-Iran Strikes

Syria announced it will close its airspace for 12 hours as Israel and the U.S. exchange strikes with Iran.

Iranians Leave Tehran, Public Transport Made Free

Tehran’s deputy mayor in charge of transport has made public transportation in the capital free, as many residents are trying to leave the city, according to the semi-official news agency Tasnim News Agency.

Earlier on Saturday, authorities warned citizens that Tehran and other cities would continue to come under attack and advised them to move to areas they consider safer.

28/02/2026 13:44

Israel Calls on Its Citizens to Remain Vigilant

The National Security Council of Israel called on Israelis abroad to show heightened vigilance amid the outbreak of war with Iran and to take precautionary measures.

“The escalation of tensions with Iran increases the likelihood that the Iranian regime will intensify its efforts to carry out terrorist attacks abroad against Israeli/Jewish targets, starting immediately,” it said.

“Furthermore, based on past experience, the intent to harm Israelis abroad may also increase among other terrorist elements, alongside local initiatives (including lone actors).”

In addition, it urges Israelis to avoid sharing real-time details of their travel on social media, to avoid events identified with Israel or Judaism that are not secure, to remain particularly alert to their surroundings when in areas identified with Israel or Judaism, to report any threat or attack to local security forces, and to avoid areas known for hostility toward Israelis and Jews.

Iran Warns It Will Target All U.S. Military Bases in the Region
Iran’s Foreign Minister warned that the country’s response to attacks by Israel and the U.S. will target all American military bases in the region.

Authorities in Bahrain reported that “the U.S. Fifth Fleet service center was hit by a missile attack” and promised more details later. Meanwhile, strong explosions were reported in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to AFP journalists.

Iran’s FARS news agency stated that multiple U.S. military bases in Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain are targets of Iranian attacks. Specifically, Iran has targeted:

• Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar
• Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait
• Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE
• U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet Base in Bahrain

Germany Was Informed in Advance, Monitoring Closely
Germany had been informed by Israel prior to the strikes. A German government spokesperson said Chancellor Friedrich Merz is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with European partners. No explicit support or opposition to the attacks was issued. Merz is scheduled to meet Donald Trump in Washington next week.

Lebanon Calls for Restraint Amid Strikes on Iran
Senior Lebanese officials urged all parties to prioritize the country’s stability and citizens’ safety. The statements, issued shortly after the strikes on Iran, are interpreted as a message to Hezbollah amid questions of whether the Iran-backed group might intervene.

Greek Embassy in Israel Issues Urgent Advisory
The Embassy of Greece in Israel advises Greek citizens in Israel to stay in secure locations near shelters and follow local authority instructions. Israel’s airspace is currently closed, and no flights are operating to or from Ben Gurion Airport.

Έκτακτη Ανακοίνωση Πρεσβείας της Ελλάδος στο Ισραήλ https://t.co/T7WqIBYngT pic.twitter.com/aJYMvkCMax

— Greece in Israel (@GreeceInTelAviv) February 28, 2026

Reports of Explosions in Kuwait

Reports indicate explosions in Kuwait, where multiple United States military bases are located. Approximately 13,600 American soldiers are stationed in Kuwait.

28/02/2026 11:25 – Medvedev’s Post
Medvedev wrote: “The ‘peacemaker’ does it again. The talks with Iran were just a cover. Everyone knew it. Who still has the patience to wait for the enemy’s miserable end? The United States is only 249 years old. The Persian Empire was founded over 2,500 years ago. Let’s see what happens in roughly 100 years…”

🇮🇷🇦🇪#BREAKING : Missile Interceptions over Abu Dhabi, Capital of United Arab Emirates#UAE #Iran #Tehran #Trump #MiddleEast pic.twitter.com/0oobpVwXAU

— TheWarPolitics (@TheWarPolitics0) February 28, 2026

28/02/2026 11:24 – US Embassies on High Alert in the Middle East
Media outlets report explosions in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, regions hosting US military bases.

Authorities in Qatar, which also hosts a US base, issued mobile alerts advising citizens to remain indoors, according to Al Jazeera. Earlier, Qatar’s Ministry of Defense reported that an Iranian missile was intercepted by the country’s air defense systems.

Security Alert – Imminent Drone/Missile Threat over Bahrain
Journalistic sources report potential missile or drone threats over Bahrain. The US Embassy in Manama has advised Americans in Bahrain to stay in safe shelters, review security plans, and remain alert for possible further strikes. Embassy personnel have been instructed to remain in shelters.

Safety Instructions:

• If you hear a loud explosion or sirens, seek shelter immediately.
• If indoors, move to the lowest level with the fewest exterior walls or windows, close doors, and stay near an interior wall away from openings.
• If outside, seek reinforced shelter; if unavailable, lie on the ground and cover your head.
• Even if an incoming missile or drone is intercepted, falling debris poses serious risks.
• After the attack, avoid debris and monitor major news outlets for official guidance.

❗️An additional barrage of missiles was launched toward Israel.

The Aerial Defense Array is currently identifying and intercepting threats.

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026

Message from the Prime Minister of Lebanon: “We Will Not Allow Anyone to Drag the Country into Adventures”

The Prime Minister of Lebanon, Nawaf Salam, said that Beirut will not allow anyone to drag the country into war, amid concerns that Hezbollah, Iran’s Lebanese proxy, could attack Israel following the United States and Israeli strikes on Iran earlier today.

“I call on all Lebanese to act with wisdom and patriotism, putting Lebanon’s interests above all else,” Salam wrote on X. “I reiterate that we will not allow anyone to drag the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity.”

28/02/2026 10:34
Two Waves of Ballistic Missiles from Iran Toward Israel

There are no reports of injuries following Iran’s ballistic missile attack on northern Israel, according to the ambulance service Magen David Adom. At least two missiles were launched, with one reportedly striking an open area. The Israeli military, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), said it detected another ballistic missile launch from Iran. Sirens are sounding in central Israel, and Israelis receiving alerts are instructed to enter shelters.

Iran’s operation is codenamed Fateh Khyber, which in free translation means “The Victory of Khyber.” Khyber is a symbolic 7th-century battle linked to some of the most significant military events in the country’s history.

ראש הממשלה בנימין נתניהו:

״אחיי ואחיותיי אזרחי ישראל, לפני שעה קלה יצאנו ישראל וארה״ב למבצע להסרת האיום הקיומי מצד משטר הטרור באיראן.

אני מודה לידידינו הגדול הנשיא דונלד טראמפ על מנהיגותו ההיסטורית. pic.twitter.com/4gx67J2QaE

— ראש ממשלת ישראל (@IsraeliPM_heb) February 28, 2026

28/02/2026 10:33
Netanyahu Announces the Operation Is Named “Lion’s Roar”

“Just one hour ago, Israel and the United States launched an operation to eliminate the existential threat posed by Iran’s terrorist regime. Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands. I call on you, citizens of Israel, to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command. In the coming days, during Operation ‘Lion’s Roar,’ we will all need to show patience and mental resilience,” said Benjamin Netanyahu.

28/02/2026 08:42
Military installations targeted in the attack
The attacks targeted military installations to limit Iran’s ability to respond, regime symbols, and intelligence targets, according to what a person familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal.

28/02/2026 09:22
The attack comes amid a period of high tension between Iran and the United States
The attack follows a period of particularly high tension between Iran and the US over Tehran’s nuclear program. This week, Trump warned that Iran is building weapons that could soon strike the United States. In his State of the Union address, he said Tehran is “working on missiles that will soon reach” America and pledged to prevent Iran—described as the “Number 1 sponsor of terrorism”—from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Trump has also left open the possibility of regime change. He recently said that the removal of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “would be the best thing that could happen.” However, US intelligence assessments have not concluded that Iran is already capable of building a weapon able to strike US territory.

The US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) estimated last year that Iran may need until 2035 to develop a “militarily viable” intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), meaning a missile that travels thousands of kilometers and, for a period, moves through space before its payload heads toward the target.

MASSIVE explosions seen in Tehran as Israel launches attacks on the Iranian capital.#Tehran #Iran pic.twitter.com/TEySndNwia

— Husan Awan (@husanmubarak47) February 28, 2026

28/02/2026 09:21
Ban on gatherings in Israel until Monday
Israel announced that the policy banning educational activities, gatherings, and workplace assemblies in Israel will be in effect from Saturday, 28 February 2026, at 8:00 a.m. until Monday, 2 March 2026, at 8:00 p.m.

28/02/2026 09:11
Photo from Tehran showing smoke in the sky
As Israel and the United States launch attacks against Iran, explosions are being heard in the northern and eastern parts of Tehran, as well as in Isfahan, Karaj, and Kermanshah, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency.

28/02/2026 09:09
Iran’s airspace closed, telecommunications problems
Images from the explosion suggest a missile attack, reported the Iranian agency FARS.

As other Iranian media reported, explosions have been heard in the eastern and western parts of Tehran, while the Mehrabad airport is also said to have been targeted.

The TASNIM agency reported that Iran’s airspace has been closed, while, according to Iranian media, the mobile phone network has gone down in areas of eastern and western Tehran and problems are being recorded with internet connectivity.

Footage from East Tehran#Iran #Tehran #Israel pic.twitter.com/K9lnMIXtF7

— ~Yuvi✨ (@GamerBoy123012) February 28, 2026

28/02/2026 09:08
Ben Gurion Airport closed
Ben Gurion has, as expected, been closed, but according to leaks from the country’s air force, an order has not yet been given to evacuate and redistribute civil aviation aircraft to third airports for security reasons.

28/02/2026 09:06
Reuters: Khamenei outside Tehran
Khamenei was moved out of Tehran and transferred to a secure residential complex, Reuters reported.

28/02/2026 09:06
US participation in the operation confirmed
The United States participated in the attacks on Iran together with Israel, a US official confirmed to The Times of Israel.

28/02/2026 09:05
“The operation had been planned for months,” says Israeli official
As stated by an Israeli Defense Ministry official, the Israeli attack operation against Iran is being conducted in cooperation with the United States.

According to the same source, the operation had been planned for months, while the date of the attack had been decided weeks ago.

28/02/2026 09:04
Mossad calls on Iranians “to return Iran to its glorious days”
As Israel launches attacks against Iran, the Mossad intelligence service, via its official Persian-language Telegram channel, calls on Iranians to help “return Iran to its glorious days.”
“Our Iranian brothers and sisters, you are not alone! We have created a highly secure and special Telegram channel especially for you. Together we will return Iran to its glorious days,” the announcement says. Mossad calls on Iranians to “share with us photos and videos of your just struggle against the regime.”

28/02/2026 09:01
IDF statement
The Israeli armed forces issued a statement regarding the attack, saying:

In recent minutes, sirens sounded throughout Israel, while a warning message was sent directly to mobile devices instructing citizens to remain close to protected areas.

This is a precautionary alert aimed at preparing the public for the possibility of missile launches toward the State of Israel. The Israeli military (IDF) emphasizes that the public is called upon to remain in immediate proximity to shelters and other safe spaces.

28/02/2026 09:01
US allies in the Gulf, many of whom host American military bases and could be vulnerable to retaliatory strikes from Iran, had warned against military action and tried to find a diplomatic solution, but failed. The new outbreak of war in the region could have significant economic impacts. Iran lies along the Strait of Hormuz, a major sea route through which about one-fifth of global oil supplies pass, and is very close to Saudi Arabia’s major oil fields and the international commercial hub of Dubai.

28/02/2026 09:00
Ali Khamenei is not in Iran
According to information, Ali Khamenei is not in Iran.

28/02/2026 08:59
In recent hours, Washington had been leaking through sources that it would prefer Israel to strike Iran first, so that Tehran would then retaliate, thus creating the conditions for broader support from US public opinion in the event of American involvement.

28/02/2026 08:56
Wall Street Journal and New York Times speak of a joint US–Israel operation
The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times confirm that the strikes against Iran are indeed a joint operation by Israel and the United States and not a unilateral strike by Tel Aviv. This is the first significant difference from the most recent episode last summer and the start of the 12-day war, when the initial strikes were an Israeli move to neutralize air defenses before US B-2 bombers struck Tehran’s nuclear facilities. Another important difference is that today targets have been hit—at least based on available information—that are not considered purely military.

28/02/2026 08:56
Is it a joint US–Israel operation?
An Israeli security source says that the ongoing attack in Iran is a joint operation of the United States and Israel, according to Israel’s Channel 12. The unconfirmed report says that one of the targets is an Iranian presidential facility. It also says that the attacks are targeting locations from which Iran could attack Israel. So far, no missile attacks against Israel have been reported, and Israelis are being called to remain close to shelters, but not to enter them.

28/02/2026 08:52
Missiles hit a neighborhood in central Tehran
Thick smoke is rising from central Tehran, reports the Iranian agency ISNA.

The FARS agency reported that missiles hit the central Jomhouri district in the Iranian capital and the road where the University of Tehran is located.

28/02/2026 08:50
Images of smoke from eastern Tehran

28/02/2026 08:48
An Israeli citizen, speaking to protothema immediately after Israel’s attack on Iran, described the atmosphere prevailing in his country in recent hours, while also attempting to convey an image of relative calm. As he noted, citizens are on heightened alert and close to shelters; however, so far no instruction has been given for mandatory stay in protected spaces, stressing that “we are close to shelters and for the time being there is no need to enter specially protected rooms.”

28/02/2026 08:48
Reports of a strike on the residence of the Iranian president
Reports say Israel struck the residence of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

28/02/2026 08:46
Israel’s airspace closed
Israel’s civil aviation authority announced that the Ministry of Transport has closed Israeli airspace to civil flights and called on citizens not to go to airports.

28/02/2026 08:46
Strike on the Iranian president’s residence
Israelis report that in the first wave of the attack, 30 targets were hit, including the Iranian president’s residence and the headquarters of the Revolutionary Guards.

28/02/2026 08:45
Two more explosions in Tehran, ban on educational activities in Israel
Two more explosions were heard in Tehran, according to Iranian state media.

The Tasnim news agency reports that two additional explosions likely occurred in the northern Seyyed Khandan area of Tehran. Witnesses in the city also speak of new explosions, according to the Associated Press.

At the same time, following the announcement by Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, of a preventive strike against Iran, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the imposition of a “ban on educational activities, gatherings, and operation of workplaces.” It was clarified that “critical sectors” are exempt from the measure.

28/02/2026 08:44
The Israeli television network N12 says this is now a joint operation by Americans and Israelis.

28/02/2026 08:43
Second wave of attacks in Tehran, Israeli and Iranian media report