World leaders have begun issuing statements following the joint US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent counterattack, according to Al Jazeera. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reminded that the EU has already imposed extensive sanctions against what she called Iran’s ‘murderous regime’. She urged all sides to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians, and fully comply with international law.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office expressed solidarity with Iranian civilians and reaffirmed the importance of respecting civil and political rights. The statement added that Meloni would consult allies and regional leaders to help reduce tensions. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese voiced support for the Iranian people’s struggle against oppression and backed US efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry condemned the US and Israeli actions as reckless and violations of international law, calling for a return to political and diplomatic solutions. A UK government spokesperson said London does not want to see further escalation in the region and is prepared to protect its own interests.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran will use all its military capabilities to defend itself under the right of self-defense. According to an official statement, Araghchi held phone conversations with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq.

During the discussions, Araghchi emphasized that Iran would act to protect its territorial integrity and exercise its legitimate right to self-defense. The statement also noted that he reminded these countries of their responsibility not to allow their territories or facilities to be used by the United States or Israel for attacks.

The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions, with reports of Iranian missile and drone launches toward Israel and the death of Iran’s defense minister in an Israeli strike, according to Reuters.

Internet access across Iran has been severely restricted following joint attacks by Israel and the United States, according to monitoring organization NetBlocks. The group reported that network data indicate a complete internet shutdown in the country, describing the restrictions as among the harshest imposed so far.

NetBlocks noted that the current blackout resembles the one enforced during Israeli attacks last year, suggesting a similar pattern of government-imposed connectivity restrictions. The report did not specify how long the shutdown might last or which regions were most affected.

The developments come amid heightened regional tensions, with reports of Israeli strikes on Iranian schools and warnings from British lawmakers about potential violations of international law.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has pledged an 'unrelenting response' following joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel. The council stated that the attacks occurred while discussions with Washington were still underway. In its statement, the SNSC accused the adversaries of mistakenly believing that such 'cowardly actions' would force the Iranian people to yield to their 'petty demands'. It added that Iran’s armed forces had already begun countermeasures and that the public would be regularly informed of developments.

The SNSC warned that operations by the United States and Israel could continue in Tehran and other cities. Citizens were urged to remain calm and move to safe areas if possible. The council assured the public that the government had prepared to meet all essential needs and that there was no concern over the supply of daily necessities. It also advised avoiding crowded shopping centers.

According to the SNSC, schools, colleges, and universities will remain closed until further notice, while banking services will continue and government offices will operate at 50 percent capacity. Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves.

Iran has launched missile attacks on several military bases across the Gulf region, according to Iran’s Fars news agency. The strikes targeted Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh, Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base, Kuwait’s Al-Salem Air Base, the United Arab Emirates’ Al-Dhafra Air Base, and locations in Bahrain. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the attacks involved both missiles and drones and were carried out as a retaliatory action. One person was reported killed in Abu Dhabi.

Explosions were heard in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi following the strikes. Bahrain confirmed that a missile hit a facility belonging to the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. The report did not specify the extent of the damage or further casualties.

The attacks mark a significant escalation of regional tensions, with multiple Gulf states directly affected by the Iranian strikes. The situation remains tense as details of the aftermath continue to emerge.

In a video statement released on February 28, 2026, President Donald Trump called on the people of Iran to take advantage of the ongoing large-scale attacks in their country to overthrow the religious leadership’s rule. He told Iranians, “When we are done, take over your government. It will be yours to take,” describing it as possibly their only opportunity in generations. Trump also warned members of Iran’s security forces that they would face “certain death” if they did not lay down their arms, but would be granted “freedom” if they surrendered.

Earlier in January, human rights activists claimed that at least 6,480 people had been killed in a harsh crackdown on anti-government protests across Iran. Following those reports, Trump had threatened Iran with bombing, warning that those responsible would “pay a heavy price,” while assuring protesters that “help is on the way.”

A few days later, Trump stated that Iran’s government had assured him the killings had stopped, and his attention shifted toward Iran’s nuclear program, a long-standing point of contention with Western nations.

Iran has warned that any aggressors will regret their actions after Israeli attacks on several Iranian cities on Saturday morning. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that the strikes harmed the country’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, targeting both defense infrastructure and civilian facilities. The ministry described the attacks as a clear violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

In an official statement, Tehran accused the United States and Israel of renewed military aggression, calling it a direct blow to international peace and security. Citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, Iran asserted its right to self-defense and declared that its armed forces are fully prepared to respond decisively. The statement emphasized that Iran has shown patience to preserve regional stability but will not surrender to aggression.

The statement concluded that Iran’s response would be firm and that aggressors would be made to regret their actions, underscoring the country’s readiness for any escalation.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that Iran has been rebuilding its nuclear program and continuing to develop long-range missiles capable of threatening Europe, U.S. allies, and even the American mainland. He said the United States is conducting a major operation aimed at preventing what he called a dangerous and extremist regime from threatening America. According to the report, Israel and the United States began attacks on Iran on Saturday morning.

Earlier, Trump had said that a final decision on whether to strike Iran had not yet been made, though he expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s stance in nuclear negotiations. He emphasized that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons and that the U.S. remains ready to act swiftly and forcefully if necessary.

Indirect talks between the two countries took place earlier in the week in Geneva, where both sides reported progress toward a possible agreement. Washington has been increasing pressure on Tehran to agree to a new nuclear deal.

Exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi released a video message on February 28, 2026, describing the current situation as a decisive moment for Iran. He said that the assistance promised by the U.S. president to the Iranian people had arrived, characterizing it as a humanitarian intervention aimed at the Islamic Republic’s repressive apparatus, not the Iranian nation itself. Pahlavi emphasized that ultimate victory would belong to the Iranian people and urged citizens to return to the streets.

In his message, Pahlavi called on members of Iran’s military and law enforcement to join the nation’s cause. He also appealed to Donald Trump to exercise maximum caution to protect civilian lives during the ongoing attacks. The statement came as reports emerged of Israeli strikes on an Iranian school that killed five students and as tensions escalated across the region.

The video message underscores Pahlavi’s continued engagement with Iranian affairs from exile and reflects growing unrest amid military actions and communication disruptions in Iran.

Iran’s ISNA news agency confirmed on February 28, 2026, that its website had been hacked following reports of attacks in at least five cities, including Tehran. The agency stated that efforts were underway to resolve the issue.

The hacking incident occurred as tensions escalated between Iran and Israel. Earlier, both countries closed their airspace to civilian flights after reports of joint Israeli-Iranian attacks in several parts of Iran, including the capital. Iraq’s Ministry of Transport also announced the closure of its airspace following Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran, leading to the suspension of flights at Erbil International Airport in northern Iraq.

The situation has contributed to growing instability in the region, with reports of internet disruptions and heightened security measures across Iran.

Iran’s Ministry of Health has placed hospitals on alert following reports of explosions across several cities. The ministry stated that hospitals have been prepared to receive casualties, and the final number of injured will be confirmed later. Iranian media reported hearing multiple blasts in different parts of the country on Saturday morning.

According to the reports, Israel carried out attacks in various locations in Iran while discussions with the United States were ongoing. A US official said the strikes were conducted jointly by Israel and the United States. In Tehran, explosions were heard in several areas, and smoke was seen rising from affected sites. The Fars news agency reported that missiles struck locations on University Street and in the Jomhouri area of the capital.

The situation has heightened tensions in the region, with Iran signaling that it will deliver an “unrelenting response” to the Israeli-US assault.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the objective of the attack on Iran is to bring down its ruling regime. In an eight-minute video statement, he urged the Iranian people to take advantage of the situation and assume control of their country. Trump also warned the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, calling on its members to surrender their weapons in exchange for fair treatment and safety, warning of certain death otherwise.

Addressing the Iranian public, Trump said that their time for freedom was approaching and advised them to stay indoors as bombings would occur across the country. He assured that once the operation was complete, the Iranian people would take control of their nation. Trump described this as an opportunity for Iranians to shape their destiny and build a prosperous and proud future.

The statement was reported by The Times of Israel and reflects escalating tensions surrounding U.S. actions toward Iran and the future of its leadership.

Israel launched an attack near the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei early Saturday, according to a government official cited by Reuters. The report stated that Khamenei was not in the capital Tehran at the time and had been moved to a secure location. The strike was described by Israel as a 'preemptive defensive attack.'

The assault took place in the early hours of Saturday and involved both Israeli and U.S. forces. U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that the objective of the operation was to bring down Iran’s ruling system. He also warned Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, urging them to surrender their weapons.

The situation follows escalating tensions in the region, with Iran reportedly nearing an internet blackout and vowing an 'uncontrollable response' to the Israeli-American offensive.

Iran fired several missiles toward Israel following reported Israeli attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, according to a report published on February 28, 2026. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they detected missiles launched from Iran toward Israeli territory and activated air raid sirens across multiple areas. The IDF said its air force was working to intercept the threats and, if necessary, strike back to neutralize them. Authorities urged civilians to follow Home Front Command instructions, emphasizing that the defense system was not completely impenetrable.

The counterattack came after Israel, reportedly in coordination with the United States, carried out strikes across Iran, including in Tehran, where explosions and smoke were observed. A U.S. official confirmed the joint operation, while Iran’s Fars news agency reported that several missiles hit Tehran’s University Street and Jomhouri areas.

The exchange marks a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two countries, with both sides warning of further action amid ongoing regional tensions.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian is completely unharmed and safe following joint attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran. Explosions were heard in several cities, including Tehran, where the highly secured Pasteur district—home to the presidential office and the supreme leader’s residence—experienced multiple blasts. Authorities quickly confirmed the president’s safety after the incidents.

US President Donald Trump stated that the United States had launched a “major military operation” in Iran. In a video message on his social media platform Truth Social, he said the US had repeatedly sought an agreement but was now moving to destroy Iran’s missiles and missile factories, describing the campaign as a total destruction effort.

The report also noted that Iran was nearing an internet blackout and vowed an “uncontrollable response” to the US-Israel assault, signaling a potential escalation in regional tensions.