Middle East, February 28, 2026 — Explosions were heard across multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran and Qom, following coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets early Saturday. The offensive — described by some as Operation Lion’s Roar — represents a significant escalation in military tensions between Tehran, Washington and Jerusalem.
According to multiple reports, explosions were first reported in central Tehran and later in Qom, as well as other cities such as Tabriz and Kermanshah. Iranian state media confirmed that missile and aerial strikes hit several strategic and military locations, prompting the closure of Iran’s airspace as a security precaution.
Joint U.S.–Israeli Military Action
The military action, which both Israeli and U.S. officials have acknowledged, was framed as a pre-emptive strike against perceived threats related to Iran’s missile and defence infrastructure. Iranian authorities reported that smoke plumes were visible in multiple districts of Tehran after the attacks.
Israeli leaders have justified the operation as necessary for national defence, with media citing involvement by U.S. armed forces in coordination with Israel’s strike plan. Iran’s civil aviation authority said it closed the country’s airspace for several hours amid the explosions.
Regional Response and Retaliation Risk
Iran’s government denounced the strikes, vowing a retaliatory response that could significantly impact broader regional security. Iranian officials described their forthcoming counterattacks as “decisive” and warned that all U.S. and Israeli interests in the Middle East might become targets.
The dramatic escalation has already provoked heightened tensions in neighbouring countries, with airspaces in some Gulf states reportedly affected by the flare-up. Sirens and air defence alerts were also reported in parts of northern Israel as missile defences were put on high alert.
International Reactions
Several global powers — including Russia — condemned the U.S.–Israel strikes, with Moscow calling the offensive an “unprovoked act of aggression” that could destabilise the region and lead to humanitarian crises unless de-escalation efforts are pursued through diplomatic channels.
Analysts say that the recent attacks mark one of the most serious direct confrontations in years between Tehran and the U.S.–Israel alliance, raising fears of a prolonged military conflict and broad geopolitical instability in the Middle East.