OPERATIONEPIC FURY
The US and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran in the largest military operation in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Minute by Minute
FEBRUARY 28, 2026 — COMPLETE TIMELINE
Operation Epic Fury Begins
US Central Command and Israeli forces launch coordinated strikes on Iran. The US operation is designated "Operation Epic Fury," the Israeli operation "Operation Roaring Lion." Targets include IRGC command and control facilities, air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields. Strikes are launched from air, land, and sea using precision munitions, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and — for the first time in combat — low-cost one-way attack drones.
Source: CENTCOM →First Explosions Rock Tehran
Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reports a series of explosions in the capital. Huge explosions ring out across downtown Tehran with thick smoke plumes visible over the city skyline. Strikes hit University Street and the Jomhouri area during Saturday morning rush hour — the first day of the work week in Iran.
Source: Al Jazeera →Simultaneous Strikes Hit Multiple Iranian Cities
Explosions reported across Iran: Tehran (Khamenei's compound, presidential palace, Ministry of Defense & Intelligence), Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah, Tabriz, Shiraz, Bushehr, and more. Approximately 200 Israeli fighter jets strike roughly 500 military targets — the largest Israeli Air Force operation ever conducted. Seven missiles confirmed striking the district where Khamenei resides.
Source: CNN →Senior Iranian Military Leaders Killed in Opening Strikes
Israeli officials assess the following were killed: Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Amir Nasirzadeh, IRGC Commander Maj. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani, and four senior intelligence commanders. Israel says it targeted 30 key leaders simultaneously across three sites where gatherings of senior officials were taking place.
Source: Times of Israel →Trump Announces "Major Combat Operations" Against Iran
In a prerecorded video from Mar-a-Lago, Trump states the objective is "to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime." He vows to "destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground," "annihilate their navy." To Iranians: "The hour of your freedom is at hand... bombs will be dropping everywhere." He urges them to "take over your government."
Source: NPR →Israel Declares "Preemptive Strike" — Sirens Nationwide
Defense Minister Israel Katz confirms: "The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel." He declares an immediate state of emergency. Sirens sound simultaneously across all of Israel. IDF Home Front Command warns all civilians to stay near bomb shelters.
Source: CBS News →Netanyahu: "We Will Remove the Existential Threat"
Netanyahu addresses the nation: "Just an hour ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran." He appeals to Iranians — Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Balochis, Ahwazis — to "rid themselves of the yoke of tyranny." Says the campaign "will last until the Iranian people are free."
Source: PBS →Strike Hits Girls' School in Minab — Dozens of Children Killed
An airstrike hits the Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary girls' school in Minab, Hormozgan province. Iran's judiciary reports at least 85 students killed, aged 7 to 12, with 63 others injured. Workers continue clearing wreckage. Washington does not comment on the reported strike.
Source: Al Jazeera →Iran Closes Airspace — Internet Drops to 54%
Iran issues a NOTAM shutting down all civilian air traffic. Internet connectivity in Tehran drops to approximately 54% of normal levels. Phone communications cut in parts of Iran. Israel also closes its airspace. Subsequently Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, and parts of Syria close their airspace. Dubai International Airport suspends all flights indefinitely.
Source: Al Jazeera →Mass Evacuation From Tehran Begins
Iranian authorities convert a major highway to all-northbound lanes to accommodate heavy traffic of residents fleeing the capital. Supermarkets experience shortages of bread, water, eggs, and milk. Long queues form at gas stations. Security forces patrol on motorbikes.
Source: PBS →Iran Launches "Operation True Promise 4" — Retaliatory Strikes Begin
The IRGC launches retaliatory strikes, declaring all US and Israeli "bases, facilities and assets" are "legitimate military targets." Approximately 170 ballistic missiles fired: ~125 at Israel in the first barrage, dozens at US military sites across the Middle East. 23 separate attack waves launched against Israel.
Source: Al Jazeera →Bahrain: US Navy 5th Fleet HQ Struck
Missile and drone attacks hit the US Navy 5th Fleet headquarters in Manama. Footage shows an Iranian Shahed drone striking a tower block near the facility, causing fires. Residential buildings near the base also hit. Counterstrikes continue for hours.
Source: Stars and Stripes →UAE: Al-Dhafra Air Base Targeted — Burj Khalifa Evacuated
Iran targets Al-Dhafra Air Base. UAE intercepts several waves of missiles. Falling debris kills one Pakistani civilian in Abu Dhabi. The Fairmont Hotel on Palm Jumeirah hit by debris; fire breaks out, 4 injured. The Burj Khalifa, world's tallest building, evacuated as a precaution after nearby interceptions.
Source: The Week →Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan All Hit by Iranian Missiles
Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base targeted — Qatar claims all missiles intercepted. Kuwait's Ali Al-Salem Air Base attacked by multiple missiles, all intercepted. Saudi Arabia repels attacks on Riyadh and eastern regions. Jordan shoots down 49 drones and ballistic missiles. Syrian residential building in Suwayda hit, killing 4 civilians.
Source: Fox News →Strait of Hormuz: Iran Warns "No Vessel Permitted to Pass"
Iranian Revolutionary Guard issues radio warning to ships in the Strait of Hormuz: "No vessel is permitted to pass." UK Maritime Trade Operations confirms vessels received closure messages. The strait handles roughly 20-25% of the world's seaborne oil trade. Oil futures jump ~6%.
Source: PBS →Oman Urges US Restraint — Calls for Return to Negotiations
Oman's Foreign Minister warns the US "not to get sucked in further," noting prior nuclear talks in Muscat and Geneva had made "substantial progress." Just one day earlier, Oman announced Iran had agreed to never stockpile enriched uranium.
Source: PBS →China "Highly Concerned" — Ukraine Backs Strikes
China calls for an immediate halt to military action and return to negotiations, stating "Iran's sovereignty should be respected." Ukraine's President Zelenskyy backs the operation, citing Iran's supply of over 57,000 Shahed drones to Russia.
Source: PBS →Iran's FM: Khamenei "Still Alive, As Far As I Know"
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi tells NBC News that Khamenei and President Pezeshkian are alive "as far as I know." He confirms two commanders were killed but says senior officials survived. UN Security Council emergency meeting scheduled for 4 PM ET at the request of Bahrain and France.
Source: NBC News →Senator Kaine: Strikes Are "A Colossal Mistake"
Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) calls the operation "a colossal mistake" and demands a Congressional authorization vote. Strikes were launched without formal Congressional authorization — leadership was only notified shortly before, with mentions of ballistic missiles but not the full scope.
Source: NPR →UK Provided Air Defense — Russia Calls It "Unprovoked Aggression"
UK PM Keir Starmer confirms Britain provided air defense but did not conduct strikes, urges Iran to "end this now." Russia's Foreign Ministry calls the strikes "a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign UN member state." France's Macron warns of "grave consequences." Israel closes all Gaza border crossings.
Source: UK Government →Red Crescent: 201 Killed, 747 Injured Across 24 Provinces
The Iranian Red Crescent reports 201 killed and 747 injured in strikes across 24 of Iran's 31 provinces. Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi pledges support for Iran, vowing Yemeni rebels will take action.
Source: PBS →CENTCOM Releases Operation Details and Strike Footage
CENTCOM publishes photos and video of US guided-missile destroyers launching Tomahawk land attack missiles. Confirms targets included IRGC command and control, air defenses, missile/drone launch sites, and military airfields. First-ever combat deployment of low-cost attack drones through Task Force Scorpion Strike.
Source: CENTCOM →Netanyahu: "Growing Signs Khamenei Is No Longer Around"
Netanyahu states: "There are growing signs that Khamenei is no longer around." Indicates strikes targeted the Supreme Leader's compound with 7 confirmed missile hits. Khamenei has not appeared publicly since operations began. Trump contacts leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and NATO.
Source: Times of Israel →Netanyahu and Trump Shown Photo of Khamenei's Body
Israel's Channel 12 reports both leaders received an image of the Supreme Leader's body recovered from his Tehran compound. Israeli officials confirm the kill to US officials. Khamenei's aide Ali Larijani pledges revenge, vowing "Zionist criminals and shameless Americans" will "regret their actions."
Source: Times of Israel →Celebrations Erupt on Tehran Streets
Witnesses describe loud cheers, celebratory music from windows, applause, and people dancing in the streets after reports of Khamenei's death. Videos circulate showing high school students laughing and celebrating, with one saying in English: "I love Trump."
Source: Times of Israel / Euronews →Israel Officially Confirms Khamenei's Death
A senior Israeli official confirms to the Times of Israel that killing the Supreme Leader "will finally make true peace possible." States dozens of IRGC commanders were targeted, ballistic facilities destroyed, and the regime is "crippled." US officials say they do not yet have independent confirmation.
Source: Axios / CBS News →Hundreds Protest in Times Square, New York
Hundreds of demonstrators gather in Times Square in support of Iran, linking the strikes to the Gaza campaign and chanting about "genocide."
Source: Times of Israel →White House Releases Situation Room Photos
Images show Trump monitoring operations at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Vice President JD Vance coordinates from the official White House Situation Room in Washington with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine.
Source: Times of Israel →Trump: Iranian Leadership "Mostly Gone" — Strikes "Already a Success"
Trump tells NBC News the strikes are "already a success" and it will require "years" for Iran to rebuild. He states he believes reports that Khamenei is dead and that Iran's senior leadership is "mostly gone." Administration claims understanding of succession candidates in Tehran.
Source: NBC News →New Iranian Missile Launch Detected — Sirens Sound Again
IDF detects another missile launch originating from Iran. Alert systems activated for central and northern Israel. Fresh ballistic missile attack from Iran detected. Approximately 170 total missiles launched by Iran throughout the day. Pentagon sources indicate operations expected to continue for several days.
Source: Times of Israel →