Sunday March 1, 2026
Key Developments:
"The Islamic Republic has reached its end." Reza Pahlavi issues a powerful call to the Iranian people to take to the streets after Khamenei's death.
- US Secretary of War Hegseth confirms Operation EPIC FURY "The most lethal, most complex, and most precise air operation in history."
- Bahrain and the UAE intercepted hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones overnight .
Missile volleys on Israel: Millions are in bomb shelters as Iran fires back following the unprecedented US-Israeli strike.
China condemns the massive US-Israeli strike on Iran and demands an immediate ceasefire, while its embassy in Israel urges citizens to evacuate via Taba. - The streets of Tehran, Karaj, and Mashhad are filled with celebrating Iranians following the elimination of Supreme Leader Khamenei.
10:37 a.m. | The military released footage documenting IDF strikes directly in the heart of Tehran (the capital of Iran). Speaking at the Hatzerim base (an Israeli Air Force base), IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told forces, "I trust you to carry out the mission with great excellence."
10:24 a.m. | Alarms sounded across the central region and the Jerusalem area.
10:21 a.m. | Echoes of explosions resounded across northern Tehran late Sunday morning. Following the IDF Spokesperson's announcement regarding a widespread strike against the regime in the heart of the Iranian capital, heavy blasts rocked the northern districts of the city.
10:20 a.m. | The IDF struck Iranian terror regime targets directly in the heart of Tehran. The IDF Spokesperson announced that for the first time since the launch of Operation Lion's Roar, the Israeli Air Force – directed by the Military Intelligence Directorate – initiated a massive wave of strikes against regime targets in the capital. Over the past day, Israeli fighter jets conducted extensive bombing runs to establish aerial superiority and clear the path to Tehran.
10:16 a.m. | Sirens were activated in the center of the country and across the Sharon region.
10:13 a.m. | Alarms were just activated in Haifa and the surrounding metropolitan area.
10:05 a.m. | The military officially confirmed the elimination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The IDF Spokesperson released a formal announcement stating that the Iranian leader was killed on Saturday during a targeted Israeli strike on his office as part of Operation Lion's Roar.
10:00 a.m. | Alarms were triggered in the south and center of the country.
09:55 a.m. | Incoming rocket sirens sounded in the Jordan Valley. Alarms were activated a short time ago in the community of Hemdat.
09:42 a.m. | Tehran appointed Ahmad Vahidi as the new general commander of the Revolutionary Guards. According to Iranian state media, Vahidi officially assumed command on Sunday morning after his predecessor, Mohammad Pakpour, was eliminated during the massive Israeli strikes on Saturday.
09:12 a.m. | The IDF Home Front Command cleared residents to leave their protected spaces in several regions across the country. Military officials confirmed that civilians may exit their shelters at this time, with the strict exception of those residing in the northern region.
09:01 a.m. | Alarms were activated across the north.
08:54 a.m. | Alarms triggered across the country. Sirens sounded in the Shfela and the central region. Authorities urged civilians to strictly follow the instructions of the IDF Home Front Command.
08:39 a.m. | Tehran officially confirmed the elimination of the Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff. Iranian state media verified on Sunday morning that Abdolrahim Mousavi was killed during the Israeli strikes of Operation Lion's Roar.
08:32 a.m. | A senior official in the Iranian Intelligence Ministry, Mohammad Baseri, was reportedly eliminated. Iranian state media announced on Sunday morning that Baseri was killed in the joint US-Israeli wave of strikes. The senior intelligence officer was heavily wanted for his suspected involvement in the 2007 abduction of retired FBI special agent Robert A. Levinson, who disappeared while visiting the Iranian island of Kish in the Persian Gulf. In 2010, the US Department of the Treasury slapped crippling sanctions on Baseri due to his suspected role in the kidnapping.
08:28 a.m. | Arab media reported rocket launches targeting the American military base in Erbil (the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan). According to regional reports, projectiles were fired toward the US installation in the Kurdish region of Iraq.
08:17 a.m. | Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of United States Central Command, stated, "The first 24 hours of Operation EPIC FURY. The president ordered a bold action, and our brave soldiers – on land, at sea, in the air, in the Marines, in the Space Force, and in the Coast Guard – are answering the call."
08:11 a.m. | Mass mourning rallies are currently sweeping through Isfahan (a major Iranian city) following the targeted elimination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
08:08 a.m. | The AFP news agency reported that a fresh series of explosions echoed across Dubai (a major city in the UAE).
08:04 a.m. | Shiite Lebanese journalist Nadim Koteich quoted a senior diplomatic source who delivered a stark warning. The source said, "If the remaining senior officials in the leadership of Iran do not seize the moment, they will soon meet with Khamenei."
07:50 a.m. | Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated, "We prepared ourselves for all scenarios and even made plans for the post-Khamenei phase." Meanwhile, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Larijani announced that a temporary leadership council had been established in strict accordance with the constitution. The council will assume the supreme leader's responsibilities until a formal successor is elected. Larijani emphasized, "The armed forces are carrying out a tremendous mission in dealing with the plot to divide Iran, and everyone must unite around them."
07:49 a.m. | Israeli defense officials are currently analyzing the morning missile barrages launched toward Israel and the Gulf states. The attack patterns consisted of single missiles fired consecutively over an extended period. Security analysts assess this might be a deliberate Iranian attempt to exhaust Israeli citizens by forcing them to remain in bomb shelters for hours. However, officials are also examining the possibility that the sporadic fire is a direct consequence of the targeted assassinations of senior regime officials, which likely severely impaired Tehran's ability to manage a coordinated military campaign. Meanwhile, the IDF continues its real-time hunt for enemy launchers and ballistic missiles across Iranian territory, aiming to significantly reduce the rate of fire directed at Israel.
07:42 a.m. | Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Larijani issued a defiant statement. "The enemy deludes himself if he thinks that the elimination of leaders will destabilize Iran," Larijani said. "The Iranian people proved their loyalty to their leadership. We cared for the leader, and we know well that the enemy is aware of his place in the hearts of the Iranian people. Therefore, we will break the hearts of our enemies. Khamenei insisted on continuing his life as usual without any exceptional measures. The Iranian people will overcome this historic turning point with determination and strength. The United States is imperialist and seeks to loot the wealth of the Iranian people."
07:40 a.m. | Larijani declared, "In the 12-day war, the enemy faced the people who maintained solidarity. Over a period of months, they adopted various methods to exhaust the Iranian nation and government, but stability still prevailed. The Iranian nation did not allow the country to be divided. America and the Zionist regime burned the hearts of the Iranian nation, and we will burn their hearts too."
07:26 a.m. | "Iran has just announced that it is about to attack very hard today, harder than ever," Trump stated. "It better not do that. Because if Iran does that, we will hit it with a force never seen before."
07:40 a.m. | Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Larijani declared, "In the 12-day war, the enemy faced the people who maintained solidarity. Over a period of months, they adopted various methods to exhaust the Iranian nation and government, but stability still prevailed. The Iranian nation did not allow the country to be divided. America and the Zionist regime burned the hearts of the Iranian nation, and we will burn their hearts too."
07:26 a.m. | "Iran has just announced that it is about to attack very hard today, harder than ever," Trump stated. "It better not do that. Because if Iran does that, we will hit it with a force never seen before."
07:23 a.m. | Larijani will deliver a statement shortly. The senior official is widely considered the central figure practically managing the regime during the ongoing war.
07:17 a.m. | The IDF Home Front Command announced that civilians may leave their protected spaces but must remain in close proximity to them in multiple areas. In the Western Negev region, this includes Urim, Noam Industrial Zone, Eshbol, Beit HaGadi, Bror Hayil, Brosh, Dorot, Zrua, Yoshivia, Mabu'im, Ma'agalim, Givolim, Melilot, Nir Moshe, Nir Akiva, Netivot, Patish, Pa'amei Tashaz, Klahim, Ruhama, Shavei Darom, Sde Tzvi, Shibolim, Sharsheret, Tashur, Tidhar, and Talmei Bilu. In the Gaza border communities, the directive applies to Avshalom, Or HaNer, Erez, Be'eri, Bnei Netzarim, Gevim, Sapir College, Gvar'am, Dekel, Zikim, Zimrat, Shuva, Holit, Zikim Beach, Re'im Campground – Nova Memorial, Yevul, Yad Mordechai, Yakhini, Yated, Kissufim, Kfar Maimon and Tushia, Kfar Aza, Kerem Shalom, Karmia, Mivtahim, Ami'oz, Yesha, Magen, Nir Am Shooting Range, Mefalsim, Naveh, Nahal Oz, Nir Yitzhak, Nir Oz, Nir Am, Nirim, Netiv HaAsara, Sufa, Sa'ad, Ein HaBesor, Ein HaShlosha, Alumim, Pri Gan, Tzohar, Ohad, Re'im, Sde Nitzan, Sdei Avraham, Sderot, Ibim, Shokeda, Shlomit, Talmei Eliyahu, Talmei Yosef, and Tkuma.
07:10 a.m. | According to foreign reports, Ahmed Vahidi is the replacement for the commander of the Revolutionary Guards in Iran who was eliminated. However, there is still no official announcement. Vahidi was deeply involved in past terrorist attacks against the Jewish community in Argentina.
07:06 a.m. | MDA (Israel's national emergency medical service) stated that at this stage, no reports of direct impacts have been received. MDA teams deployed to treat several cases of people who were injured on the way to the protected space, alongside anxiety victims. MDA urged the public to strictly obey the life-saving instructions of the IDF Home Front Command.
06:59 a.m. | In Iraq, local reports indicate that Shiite demonstrators attempted to infiltrate the Green Zone (the heavily fortified diplomatic and government area) of the embassies in Baghdad before being blocked by security mechanisms.
انهار مذيع القناه الايرانيه بالبكاء على الهواء مباشرة أثناء قراءته خبر مقتل خامنئي. pic.twitter.com/dRkQVIUrol
— عمر مدنيه (@Omar_Madaniah) March 1, 2026
Video: Iranian celebrations abroad following Khamenei's death
06:54 a.m. | Extensive fire was reported across all parts of the country, triggering alerts in the Dan region, the Shfela region, the Yarkon region, the Samaria region, the Sharon region, the Judea region, the Western Negev region, the Central Negev region, the Dead Sea region, and the Southern Negev region.
06:43 a.m. | The IDF clarified that civilians who receive an alert are required to stay in the protected space and not leave until receiving explicit instruction from the IDF Home Front Command. If an alert was not received, residents must remain in close proximity to a protected space. The IDF Spokesperson reiterated the directive forbidding the publication or sharing of impact locations and documentation.
06:39 a.m. | Alarms continuously sounded in the central region, the Shfela, Jerusalem, and Samaria as rocket and missile fire triggered alerts across the Lachish region, the Western Lachish region, the Sharon region, the Yarkon region, the Judea foothills region, the Judea region, the Dead Sea region, and the Jordan Valley region.
06:38 a.m. | Al Jazeera reported echoes of heavy explosions in Qatar as a result of active interceptions in the skies above Doha.
06:33 a.m. | Massive fire from Iran targeted extensive parts of the country.
06:32 a.m. | At this stage, emergency services confirmed no reports of impacts have been received. MDA teams deployed to treat several individuals who were injured while rushing to the protected space.
06:29 a.m. | The Washington Post reported that two key leaders actively pushed Trump to attack Iran – Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, despite his country outwardly calling for a diplomatic solution.
06:13 a.m. | The IDF stated that missiles launched from Iran toward Israel were successfully identified. The defense systems immediately engaged to intercept the incoming threat. In the preceding minutes, the IDF Home Front Command had distributed a preliminary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas.
06:08 a.m. | The IDF reported that an unmanned aerial vehicle launched from Iran was intercepted in the Arava (the valley extending south of the Dead Sea). In addition, authorities confirmed that the alerts activated in Eilat were the result of a false identification.
05:56 a.m. | The incident involving the hostile aircraft infiltration into Eilat concluded after three interceptions took place in a minute and a half.
05:40 a.m. | China urgently called for an immediate ceasefire. Beijing condemned the joint strikes on Iran, calling them blatant aggression toward a sovereign state. Simultaneously, the Chinese embassy in Israel issued a notice advising its citizens to evacuate to safe areas or leave for Egypt via Taba (the border crossing south of Eilat).
05:08 a.m. | Discussing the day after Khamenei, Reuters reported that a council composed of the Iranian president, the head of the judiciary, and one of the clerics of the Guardian Council (the body overseeing elections and legislation in Iran) will temporarily assume the supreme leadership roles.
05:07 a.m. | Ali Shamkhani was successfully eliminated. Furthermore, the senior advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Pakpour were killed in the massive US-Israeli strikes.
04:40 a.m. | The CIA headquarters in Dubai was reportedly attacked a few minutes ago.
04:39 a.m. | Senator Lindsey Graham aggressively pushed back against European countries, claiming they had become pathetically soft-hearted. While certain European countries urged the US to return to negotiations, most Republicans in Congress – and even some Democrats like Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania – firmly supported the military action. "To our European allies, you have become pathetically soft-hearted and lost your motivation to fight evil, unless it is located right next to your home," Graham wrote on social media.
04:17 a.m. | US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated that the Iranian regime had been given a clear opportunity to reach an agreement, but refused, and now bears the ultimate consequences. Writing on the X network, Hegseth declared, "Tonight, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War launched Operation EPIC FURY, the most lethal, most complex, and most precise air operation in history. The Iranian regime was given an opportunity, but it refused to reach an agreement, and now it bears the consequences. For almost fifty years Iran has attacked and killed Americans, and always sought to obtain the most powerful weapons in the world to advance its radical cause. Last night, unlike any previous president, President Trump began to treat this cancer. We will not tolerate powerful missiles aimed toward the American people. These missiles will be destroyed, along with Iran's missile production array. The Iranian navy will be destroyed. And as President Trump has said his whole life, Iran will never possess a nuclear weapon. The United States did not start this conflict, but we will finish it. If you kill or threaten Americans anywhere in the world, as Iran has done, we will chase after you and kill you."
04:00 a.m. | The Israeli Air Force completed a decisive strike on roughly 30 targets across western and central Iran. Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked under the direction of the Military Intelligence Directorate, completing an additional wave of strikes to cripple Iran's ballistic missile array and air defense systems.
03:54 a.m. | Iranian state media officially reported that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed inside his office during the early morning hours of Saturday.
02:24 a.m. | The Fars news agency, citing sources closely tied to the office of the Iranian Supreme Leader, reported that his daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, and daughter-in-law were eliminated in the Israeli strikes.
02:01 a.m. | Authorities in Bahrain announced that their local air defense systems intercepted 45 missiles and 9 UAVs launched from Iran, including deadly drones of the Shahed 136 type.
01:47 a.m. | MDA received a concerning report regarding an impact in the moshavim of Mahseya and Zanoah, located adjacent to Beit Shemesh.
01:11 a.m. | The Interior Ministry in Bahrain announced that a residential building in the capital city of Manama had been attacked. According to the announcement, authorized authorities operated to secure the scene and treat the damage, amid indications that additional high-rise buildings were also struck.
00:41 a.m. | Exiled leader Reza Pahlavi released a dramatic statement claiming that the Islamic Republic has practically reached its end and that any attempt to appoint a successor to Khamenei will fail. He actively called on the army and security forces not to try to preserve the crumbling regime, defining this as the final opportunity to join the nation. Urging the public to prepare for a widespread presence in the streets, he declared, "Together we will bring the final victory and celebrate the freedom of Iran."
Video: Celebrations in Tel Aviv / Use according ARticl 27 of Israel's intellectual property law
00:30 a.m. | The IDF Spokesperson confirmed that the Israeli Air Force had completed an additional wave of strikes against the ballistic missile array and the air defense systems of the Iranian terror regime. Among the targets successfully struck was a key launch site in the Qom area, where ballistic missiles of the Qader H-1 type were securely stored, carrying hundreds of kilograms (hundreds of pounds) of explosive material. The IDF stated that destroying this infrastructure thwarted dozens of incoming launches toward Israel.
00:16 a.m. | Spontaneous demonstrations against the Islamic regime broke out in Karaj, Tehran, Shiraz, and Mashhad. According to the Manoto network, security forces violently opened fire toward demonstrators in Mashhad as Iranians flooded the streets to celebrate the death of the dictator.
00:10 a.m. | The Defense Ministry of the United Arab Emirates announced that its Air Force and air defense arrays intercepted and destroyed 137 ballistic missiles and 209 UAVs launched toward the country. According to the announcement, 132 missiles were intercepted and five fell into the sea; of the 209 UAVs, 195 were intercepted, and 14 fell in the country's territory and caused minor damage.
9:35: Israeli official says Khamenei eliminated: An Israeli source reports that Supreme Leader Khamenei has been eliminated, along with the top tier of Iran's leadership.
9:18: Reports in Iran: Explosions were reported in the city of Urmia in West Azerbaijan province, in northwestern Iran.
8:52: Prime Minister Netanyahu's statement: "Many signs Khamenei is gone; we will strike thousands of regime targets"
The prime minister addressed the media this evening. "This fateful operation will continue as long as necessary; patience is required. We have an alliance for peace and an alliance for war. This war will lead to peace — real peace. There are many signs that the tyrant is gone. We destroyed Khamenei's compound, and there are many signs he is no longer alive. In the coming days, we will strike thousands of targets in Iran and create the conditions for the Iranian people to free themselves from the regime."
8:23: A senior American official told Israel Hayom that the strikes will continue for several days, with the aim of collapsing the regime or neutralizing it entirely. He described the operation as a "great success," achieved despite failed negotiations due to Iranian intransigence. The official made clear that the objective is to free the region and the world from the Iranian threat: "The regime will collapse or become irrelevant."
Video: Credit: IDF
7:49: IDF Persian-language spokesperson Lt. Col. (res.) Kamal Penhasi: "Urgent warning to those present in the G Industrial Complex in Isfahan, as marked on the map: In the coming minutes, the IDF will strike military infrastructure in the area. All residents of the village of Mazra'a are asked to remain indoors and not to leave until morning."
7:26: At least four senior officials in the Iranian regime's Intelligence Ministry were killed in aerial strikes on Saturday, Iran International has learned. Among the dead: Javad Pourhossein, head of the foreign intelligence unit; Mohammad-Reza Baghestani, head of the security unit; Ali Kheirandish, head of the counterterrorism unit; and Saeed Ahya Hamidi, an adviser on the war with Israel.
7:13: Israel and the US timed the operation based on precise intelligence about a gathering of senior regime figures, The Wall Street Journal reveals. The intelligence enabled simultaneous strikes on three meeting sites in broad daylight, exploiting the element of surprise and eliminating several senior Iranian officials. It was the targeted intelligence that ultimately determined the timing of the unprecedented attack.
6:26: A Jordanian military source confirmed that the kingdom intercepted 13 ballistic missiles fired from Iran and dozens of drones — 49 projectiles in total.
6:00: Sirens sound in Northern Israel and the Jerusalem area.
5:56: Iran reportedly closes Strait of Hormuz: A source within the EU naval mission in the Persian Gulf told Reuters that vessels in the area received a radio communication from the Revolutionary Guards navy stating: "No ship is authorized to pass through the strait." Iran has not officially confirmed the order, though it has threatened to do so for years. The closure of the strait — through which roughly 20% of global oil trade passes — could significantly impact energy prices worldwide.
5:21: The IDF spokesperson confirms that the Air Force is currently striking missile launchers in Iran.
5:08: A 17-year-old was lightly wounded by shrapnel in the Arab town of Kafr Qasim.
4:43: Initial report: hit in central Israel. No casualties reported at this time.
4:24: In an exclusive interview with NBC, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that, to his knowledge, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is still alive, despite reports of strikes targeting the regime's top leadership.
4:19: Saudi Arabia on Iran: "We will take all measures to defend our land, including the option to respond to aggression."
3:53: Two sources with knowledge of Israel's military operations, along with one regional source, said they believe Iranian Defense Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour were killed in Israeli strikes, Reuters reports.
3:44: The IDF has identified that missiles were launched from Iran toward Israel.
3:00: Iranian missile debris has fallen in Doha, Qatar:
Video: Arab media
2:37: The IDF has identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel.
2:19: Sirens expected in Northern Israel, following the identification of launches.
1:44: The Iranian army has announced that a wave of dozens of drones has been launched toward Israel.
12:51: Regional sources confirm that a US military base in Saudi Arabia has been targeted.
CENTCOM's joint operations center is working intensively to coordinate defense operations for American bases and Gulf state infrastructure.
On the Israeli front, Jordan and the United States are participating in intercepting missiles launched toward Israel. There are American efforts to bring the British into the effort as well, operating from their bases in Jordan and Cyprus. The UAE and Saudi Arabia are currently focused on defending themselves.
12:44: Saudi Arabia has condemned Iran's attack on the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan.
12:30: Initial assessments indicate that at least three senior Iranian officials were killed in the strikes, including Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Pakpour, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, and Military Intelligence chief Saleh Asadi.
12:30: Report: American base in Iraqi Kurdistan attacked. Security sources report that a U.S. military base in Iraqi Kurdistan was targeted in a rocket attack.
12:28: The IDF has identified that missiles were launched from Iran toward Israeli territory a short time ago. Defense systems are operating to intercept the threat.
12:03 Multiple high-ranking members of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and various political officials have been killed in the initial waves of the joint US-Israeli offensive, according to sources close to the Tehran government who spoke with Reuters. The strikes were precision-targeted at the regime's command-and-control centers.
12:00 In southern Israel, authorities reported falling shrapnel from an interceptor missile. No casualties have been reported thus far.
11:57 Labor Minister Yariv Levin has signed an emergency order ensuring that essential personnel at critical factories remain at their posts. This decision, made in coordination with Defense Minister Israel Katz, applies to all areas currently under a "special situation on the home front," provided they follow Home Front Command (the military body responsible for civil defense) safety protocols.
11:54 Tragedy struck Abu Dhabi today as the UAE's state news agency confirmed the first fatality related to the conflict. One individual was killed when defense systems intercepted incoming missiles fired by Iranian forces.
11:52 Red Alert sirens are currently blaring across the length and breadth of Israel. The public is urged to seek shelter immediately.
11:51 A resident of the Valleys region (northern Israel) was lightly injured after being struck by falling munitions fragments. Israel Police are currently on-site managing the situation.
11:50 The conflict has reached the Saudi capital. AFP reports that multiple explosions were heard echoing through Riyadh as regional tensions boil over.
11:48 Eyewitnesses in Dubai informed Reuters of a second massive explosion rocking the city within the last hour.
11:47 In Jerusalem, there is a sense of "significant success" regarding the first wave of strikes. Officials believe several key regime figures – including IRGC commanders and ministers involved in the brutal suppression of domestic protests – have been neutralized.
11:43 The Supreme National Security Council of Iran has issued a desperate plea for citizens to evacuate major cities, warning that the Israeli and American bombardment of Tehran and other urban centers is likely to persist.
11:39 The IDF's Persian-language spokesperson, Lt. Col. Kamil Panasi, issued a chilling warning to the Iranian public: "Stay away from military industrial sites. You are in immediate danger. Leave these areas now for your own safety."
11:32 The Qatari capital of Doha reported hearing the sounds of explosions as the air war expands across the Gulf.
11:29 A new wave of Red Alert sirens has been triggered across Israel as the home front remains under heavy threat.
11:29 Retaliation has begun. Iran's Tasnim News Agency reports that the IRGC Aerospace Force has launched ballistic missiles at four major US installations: Al-Udeid in Qatar (the largest US base in the Middle East), Ali Al-Salem in Kuwait, Al-Dhafra in the UAE, and the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain (Fifth Fleet headquarters).
11:23 Reports are coming in of a direct hit on a residential building in the Carmel area (Haifa). Emergency services are en route; no casualties have been confirmed.
11:23 Operation "Lion's Roar" continues. The IAF (Israeli Air Force) is currently executing a second massive wave of strikes against military targets in western Iran.
11:19 Incoming missile alerts are sounding nationwide. Residents are instructed to stay in their protected rooms.
11:18 Bahraini officials confirmed that the US Fifth Fleet service center was a target of Iranian missile fire. The government has urged citizens to rely only on official news sources.
11:17 The IDF has announced a massive mobilization of 70,000 reservists to bolster the country's defenses as the regional situation deteriorates.
11:15 Simultaneous sirens are going off across multiple districts in Israel.
11:15 In Iraq, the pro-militia Sabereen News reports that the US has begun airstrikes on targets in the Jurf al-Nasr region.
11:14 Sources familiar with the operation indicate that the first phase of the US-Israel campaign was a "leadership decapitation" strike, focusing on the top tier of the Iranian government and military.
11:13 Panic has gripped the Iranian capital. Footage from Tehran shows massive queues of vehicles as thousands of residents attempt to flee the city under fire.
11:09 "The IDF and the US military have launched a broad joint operation to thoroughly strike the Iranian terror regime," stated IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin. He noted that "Operation Lion's Roar" is the result of months of secret, synchronized planning designed to eliminate existential threats to Israel.
11:09 Red Alerts are active in multiple locations across Israel.
11:07 Northern Israel has come under fire again, with sirens sounding in several communities.
11:05 The AP reports that Yemen's Houthis have officially vowed to restart their campaign of attacks in the Red Sea, adding another front to the expanding war.
11:03 Explosions have been reported near the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain as Iranian missiles hit the area.
10:59 Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar is working the phones, briefing counterparts in Germany, India, Italy, and beyond. Sa'ar is clarifying the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet's objectives for the ongoing campaign.
10:58 Qatar has officially entered the fray, with a defense official confirming they used a Patriot battery to down an incoming Iranian missile.
10:57 President Isaac Herzog hailed the operation as a "dramatic and historic step." He thanked both President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their resolve in confronting the Iranian threat.
10:55 Sirens are currently wailing in Bahrain as Iranian missiles target the island nation.
10:54 In a scene of desperation in Haifa, residents of the Hadar neighborhood smashed the windows of the Masada Carmelit (underground funicular) station to gain access to the underground tunnel for shelter.
10:53 National alerts remain active as the missile threat persists.
10:50 Lufthansa has officially canceled all flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Amman until March 7. Weekend flights to Dubai have also been scrapped.
10:48 Red Alert sirens are sounding across the country.
10:46 The Israel Police have issued an urgent advisory for citizens to stay off the roads. "Avoid all non-essential travel to allow security and rescue forces clear paths," a spokesperson said.
10:45 Iran's state-run Tasnim news confirms that the IRGC has launched its "first wave" of drones and missiles toward the heart of Israel.
10:41 In Ashkelon, Barzilai Medical Center (Ashkelon) has moved all operations into its underground fortified hospital, preparing for a potential influx of casualties.
10:40 Shrapnel from Iranian missiles has reportedly fallen in the city of Irbid, northern Jordan.
10:40 Alerts continue to sound across the state.
10:37 "All American and Israeli assets in the Middle East are now legitimate targets," warned an Iranian official via Al Jazeera.
10:36 Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib (Youssef Raghi) called for national neutrality, pleading to keep Lebanon out of the escalating crossfire.
10:34 Police Commissioner Danny Levy has placed the entire national force on an emergency skeleton footing, activating reserve units and civil defense squads to maintain order during the crisis.
10:25 Central Israel remains on high alert as the IDF confirmed a fresh barrage of missiles launched from Iran. The military urged citizens to strictly adhere to the instructions of the Home Front Command (the military body responsible for civil defense) and remain in protected spaces until further notice. "The IDF Spokesperson reiterates the warning not to publish or share the locations or footage of impacts," the military said, noting that air defenses are actively intercepting threats across the country.
Video: Trump vows toppling regime / Credit: White House
10:24 Across the Mediterranean, the Cypriot government has moved to help foreign nationals escaping the crisis. Nicosia activated the Estia plan (an emergency evacuation and absorption protocol) earlier Saturday, readying schools and public buildings to house those fleeing the regional instability.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
"My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, a short while ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran. pic.twitter.com/nhlJTfTi8i
– Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) February 28, 2026
10:19 "A short time ago, we embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday. He emphasized that the "murderous" regime must never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons. "Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands," the Prime Minister added.
10:15 The sirens have also reached the north, where alerts were triggered following the detection of Iranian missiles entering Israeli airspace. Defense officials warned that the alerts would likely spread across the entire country as more launches are identified.
10:07 Widespread alerts are expected in the coming minutes as the IDF tracks multiple launches heading toward Israeli territory.
10:04 Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati issued a stern warning to Hezbollah on X (formerly Twitter), urging national unity. "We will not allow anyone to drag the country into adventures that threaten its security," Mikati wrote, calling on the Lebanese people to prioritize wisdom over external interests.
10:03 In Tehran, the regime's communications are failing. The New York Times reported a total collapse of landline infrastructure and significant cellular outages across the capital.
10:01 While rumors swirled about the leadership, the Tasnim News Agency claimed President Masoud Pezeshkian remained "completely healthy" and unharmed following the initial wave of strikes.
09:55 Iranian state media outlets like Tasnim and ISNA have reportedly come under a massive cyberattack launched in tandem with the physical bombardments, crippling their ability to broadcast.
09:52 Domestic incidents in Israel are also being monitored. In Holon (south of Tel Aviv), fire crews worked to extinguish a blaze involving several buses on HaBanai Street. While the cause is under investigation, no injuries were reported.
09:47 Israeli officials are describing the military cooperation with Washington as historic. "The coordination with the Americans is full and tight at all levels – diplomatic, security, intelligence, and military," one official said. They noted that while previous exercises like 'Juniper Oak' (a joint US-Israel military drill) paved the way, this marks the first time the two nations have launched a combined offensive using their air forces and navies.
09:45 The regional chaos has grounded civilian travel. With the closure of Israeli airspace, thousands of Israelis are stranded abroad as tourism companies and government ministries shift to emergency operations.
09:41 President Donald Trump delivered a blunt message to the Iranian military. "To the members of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), lay down your arms or you will be destroyed," Trump said, adding that while American lives may be at risk, the goal is the total destruction of Iran's missile industry. "To the Iranian people: after we finish – take control of the regime."
09:39 In Jerusalem, Netanyahu is currently leading a high-level situational assessment with a select group of top officials.
09:39 Social media has been flooded with footage of IAF (Israeli Air Force) F-15s operating over the skies of Tehran during the ongoing strike.
09:34 The Mossad reached out to the Iranian public with a message of solidarity. "We are with you; together we will return Iran to its glory days," the agency stated, urging citizens to stay safe.
09:33 Trump confirmed that the US military had initiated "major military operations" to neutralize immediate threats to American security and destroy the Iranian missile threat.
09:31 The medical sector is shifting to a war footing. Hadassah Medical Center began discharging stable patients and transferring others to underground facilities at its Ein Kerem and Mount Scopus (neighborhoods in Jerusalem) campuses. "Both underground hospital facilities are operating as of this hour," the center confirmed.
09:30 Military analysts told the New York Times that the strikes are designed to dismantle Iran's military machine, specifically targeting its arsenal of over 2,000 ballistic missiles deployed across the country.
09:29 The Home Front Command has already canceled all school activities across Israel for Monday in anticipation of further escalation following the strikes in Iran.
09:22 In Cyprus, Larnaca Airport is serving as a primary diversion point for flights unable to land in Israel. Authorities on the island are meeting to discuss further implementation of the Estia evacuation plan.
09:22 The offensive is truly multi-domain, with senior US officials telling Al Jazeera that strikes are being launched from both the air and the sea.
09:21 "The attacks are also being conducted from the sea," a senior US official reiterated to Al Jazeera.
09:06 Nadim Koteich, the former CEO of Sky News Arabia, warned that the "shocking" identities of those targeted in the Iranian leadership would be revealed in the coming hours.
09:04 As of Saturday morning, all civilian aviation in Israel has been grounded following the closure of the national airspace.
09:03 American officials told the Qatari channel Al Jazeera that the airstrikes on Iran are expected to be "wide-ranging" and persistent.
09:01 Reports from Tehran via Reuters suggest that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been evacuated to a high-security bunker as American attacks remain "in full swing." Iranian authorities have officially closed the country's airspace.
08:55 A senior American official confirmed to the New York Times that the military operations against Iran are currently in their primary phase.
08:45 The strike in Iran is a combined offensive in which Israel and the United States participated.
08:41 "The people of Israel are strong, the IDF and the Air Force are strong, and the strongest power in the world stands by us," Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said. He called for national unity, stating there is "no coalition or opposition" during such a critical hour.
08:39 As the morning progressed, more reports emerged of missile impacts in central Tehran, specifically near University Street and the Jomhuri district.
08:25 In the air, civilian flights – including Wizz Air routes from Larnaca and Sofia – were forced to circle as they were denied entry into Israeli airspace.
