U.S. and Israel Launch Major Attack on Iran; Region Erupts in Retaliatory Strikes

The United States and Israel launched a large-scale joint military assault on Iran on February 28, just two days after a reportedly productive round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva mediated by Oman. Iranian concessions during those talks, including a pledge not to stockpile enriched uranium, had raised hopes for progress, but strikes began the following morning despite signals that negotiations might continue.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a major combat operation targeting Iranian threats, while Israel said it struck military and nuclear-related sites. Explosions were reported in Tehran and other areas, with Iranian authorities reporting more than 200 dead and hundreds injured. Conflicting claims emerged over the fate of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Israeli targets and U.S. bases in the Gulf, hitting sites in Qatar, Bahrain and elsewhere, prompting regional airspace closures.

The escalation drew swift international concern, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemning the violence and France calling for an emergency UN Security Council meeting. Protests also broke out in U.S. cities. Trump said bombing would continue “uninterrupted” for as long as necessary.

Credit : CGTN