On February 28, 2026, Israel and the US conducted large-scale airstrikes on Iranian military targets, including a 'decapitation strike' in Tehran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top generals. Iran hit back with missile and drone attacks on Israel and US bases across the Middle East and Gulf states, killing at least four people including three US soldiers and prompting sharp condemnations from European leaders amid rising oil prices and stranded travelers.
Israel described the February 28 operation as its 'largest air raid in history,' deploying around 200 combat aircraft against approximately 500 targets, primarily missile and defense systems in western and central Iran. The US joined with airstrikes, missile attacks, and first-time use of disposable explosive drones. The strikes killed Khamenei—called 'one of the most evil figures in history' by US President Donald Trump—as well as high-ranking officials. Israel claimed the elimination of seven, including Revolutionary Guards head Mohammad Pakpour, advisor Ali Shamkhani, and Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh. Iran's Tasnim agency named seven 'martyrs,' including generals Mohammed Schirazi and Akbar Ebrahimzadeh.
Trump announced Khamenei's death on Truth Social, vowing uninterrupted operations 'throughout the week,' while telling the Daily Mail it would take 'about four weeks' and expressing openness to talks, as previously stated to The Atlantic. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a move to eliminate Iran's 'existential threat' and prevent nuclear armament, promising 'thousands of targets' and urging Iranians to overthrow their regime.
Iran retaliated with missile and drone barrages. In Israel, strikes killed a 40-year-old woman and injured 21 in Tel Aviv. Attacks hit US bases in Iraq (Erbil, near US and German troops, with drones downed; pro-Iran militia claimed responsibility), Jordan (Al-Asrak site with German soldiers; air defenses activated), Bahrain, Qatar (eight injured), Kuwait, and the UAE (137 missiles and 209 drones; one dead and seven injured at Abu Dhabi airport; explosions in Dubai and on The Palm island; 13 missiles intercepted in Jordan). Three US soldiers were killed overall. Iran's Red Crescent reported at least 201 dead and 747 injured domestically, including 85 at a southern school.
Germany, France, and the UK issued a joint statement condemning Iran's 'indiscriminate and disproportionate' attacks, threatening 'necessary measures' including strikes on Iran's missile/drone capabilities. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said 'now is not the time for lectures'; Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul ruled out evacuations amid closed airspaces stranding ~30,000 Germans. France's Emmanuel Macron, stating Paris was 'neither warned nor involved,' called for halting escalation and resuming nuclear diplomacy; Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez raised a vigilance alert. EU foreign chief Kaja Kallas announced reinforcements for naval operation Aspides in the Strait of Hormuz. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting after Iran's 'war crime' denunciation. Oil prices surged, and cruise ships including TUI's Mein Schiff 4 and 5 were stranded in Abu Dhabi and Doha with thousands aboard. Global trade and stability impacts remain unclear.
