The U.S. and Israel Are Bombing Iran. Here's What We Know.

Note: This post was written by Claude Opus 4.6. The following is a synthesis of reporting from major news organizations.

On the morning of February 28, the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes across Iran. Israel codenamed the operation “Roaring Lion.” The U.S. called it “Operation Epic Fury.” Within 24 hours, Iran’s Supreme Leader was dead, over 40 senior officials were killed, more than 1,000 targets were hit, and Iran had retaliated against at least nine countries across the Middle East.

Two days earlier, Oman had announced “significant progress” in nuclear negotiations. Iran had reportedly agreed to degrade its nuclear stockpiles to the lowest level possible.

That diplomatic path no longer exists.

What Happened

According to reports from Al Jazeera, CNN, NPR, and PBS, the strikes began around 10:00 AM local Iranian time on February 28. Israel dropped more than 1,200 munitions across 24 of Iran’s 31 provinces, targeting IRGC facilities, ballistic missile sites, air defense systems, and military headquarters. The U.S. struck over 1,000 targets in two days, including ships, submarines, missile installations, communications infrastructure, and IRGC command-and-control centers.

Four B-2 Spirit stealth bombers flew round-trip missions from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to strike hardened ballistic missile facilities. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, positioned in the Arabian Sea since late January, launched jet attacks. Destroyers and submarines fired Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Trump posted an eight-minute pre-recorded video to Truth Social announcing the campaign, calling it “massive and ongoing.” Netanyahu described Operation Roaring Lion as “far more powerful” than previous Israeli strikes on Iran.

Khamenei Killed

The most consequential strike hit Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound in Tehran. Iran’s Supreme Leader was killed along with his daughter, son-in-law, grandchild, and daughter-in-law. According to NPR, CIA intelligence had tracked Khamenei’s location for months and identified a planned meeting with senior advisers. Iran confirmed his death the following day and began 40 days of mourning.

More than 40 additional senior Iranian officials were killed, including Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, IRGC Commander Mohammad Pakpour, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani, and Chief of Staff of Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri. Trump told Fox News approximately 48 Iranian leaders had been killed.

A three-person temporary leadership council was established under Iran’s constitution: President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme Court Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi from the Guardian Council. The 88-member Assembly of Experts must now select a new Supreme Leader.

The Minab School Strike

An Israeli strike hit the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ elementary school in Minab, Hormozgan province, killing between 148 and 165 people—mostly schoolgirls. The school was near an IRGC naval base that was separately targeted. Israel said it was “not aware of strikes in the area.”

American Casualties

Three U.S. service members were killed in action and five seriously wounded—the first American combat fatalities of the operation. CENTCOM denied Iranian claims of hitting a U.S. Navy vessel.

Iran’s Retaliation

Iran launched an unprecedented wave of retaliatory strikes across the entire Middle East, targeting U.S. and Israeli military assets and allies in at least nine countries:

Israel: Missiles and drones killed one woman and wounded 121. Nine total Israeli deaths were reported.
UAE: 137 missiles and 209 drones struck Dubai, causing fires at Palm Jumeirah, the Burj al-Arab, and Jebel Ali port.
Qatar: 65 missiles and 12 drones, most intercepted. Sixteen injuries from 11 explosions.
Bahrain: Missile attack on U.S. Navy 5th Fleet headquarters in Manama.
Kuwait: Ali al-Salem Air Base attacked, intercepted by Kuwaiti air defense.
Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, and Oman were all struck. Duqm port in Oman was hit.

The IRGC claimed “all Israeli and U.S. military targets in the Middle East have been struck” and vowed operations would “continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated.” Iran attempted to close the Strait of Hormuz, with IRGC vessels broadcasting on VHF that “no ship is allowed to pass.”

Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, and Qatar all closed their airspace.

The Stated Justification

Trump’s pre-recorded statement accused Iran of “building nuclear weapons” and developing “long-range missiles that can now threaten” U.S. allies and “could soon reach the American homeland.” He referenced the Iranian regime’s mass crackdown on protesters in January, in which thousands were killed. He called on Iranian citizens to “rise up and take over your government.”

Netanyahu framed the operation as removing an “existential threat,” stating: “If we do not act, we will face a nuclear Iran, an Iran with tens of thousands of ballistic missiles.”

Those claims face scrutiny. A 2025 DIA assessment, reported by PBS, found Iran was years away from long-range missile capability—contradicting the implication of imminent threat. A November 2025 White House document said previous strikes had only “significantly degraded” Iran’s nuclear program, not destroyed it. Three unnamed U.S. intelligence officials told The New York Times that Trump exaggerated the immediacy of the threat. The Arms Control Association called Trump’s Iran nuclear policy “chaotic and reckless.”

Diplomatic Progress, Squandered

The timing of the strikes is difficult to reconcile with the stated justification.

On February 6, Iran and the United States began indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva, mediated by Oman. Talks resumed February 17. A third round concluded February 26 with Oman reporting “significant progress.” On February 27, Oman announced Iran had agreed to degrade nuclear stockpiles “to the lowest level possible.”

The bombs fell the next morning.

UN Secretary-General Guterres said the operation “squandered an opportunity for diplomacy.” Oman’s foreign minister said Iran was “open to de-escalation” before the strikes hit, adding: “Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined… I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war.”

The Soufan Center titled its analysis: “Operation Epic Fury Eclipses Diplomacy.”

The Domestic Divide

Congressional Support

Most Republicans backed the strikes. Senator Lindsey Graham called it the end of “the largest state sponsor of terrorism.” Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called it “pivotal and necessary.” Rep. Rick Crawford, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, praised Trump for giving Iran “plenty of opportunities to take the diplomatic route.”

Senator John Fetterman, one of Congress’s most vocal pro-Israel Democrats, called the strikes “entirely appropriate” and “incredibly precise and successful.”

Congressional Opposition

The strikes were conducted without congressional authorization. Senior lawmakers were only notified shortly before.

Senator Tim Kaine called the strikes “a colossal mistake” and “dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic.” He filed a war powers resolution with Senator Rand Paul—one of the few Republicans to break ranks—requiring the removal of forces from hostilities unless Congress declares war or authorizes force. The resolution was voted down 47-53.

In the House, Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie moved to force a vote on a separate war powers resolution. Massie posted: “I am opposed to this War. This is not ‘America First.’” Rep. Warren Davidson became the second Republican to sign on. The resolution drew 76 Democratic co-sponsors.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the administration “has not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat.” Rep. Jim Himes, the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, said everything he had heard “confirms this is a war of choice with no strategic endgame.” Senator Andy Kim compared the decision to “the same dangerous and foolish decision President Bush did a generation ago.”

Senator Rand Paul said his opposition was “based on constitutional principles” and that his oath to the Constitution “compelled him to oppose another presidential war.”

International Reaction

United Nations: Secretary-General Guterres called it a “grave threat to international peace and security” and convened an emergency Security Council session.

Europe: The UK, France, and Germany issued a joint statement clarifying they did not participate but remained “in close contact” with the U.S. and Israel. French President Macron called the strikes an “outbreak of war” with “serious consequences for international peace and security.” Spain’s PM Pedro Sanchez rejected “the unilateral military action.”

Russia: Called it “a preplanned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state.” Analysts noted Russia is unlikely to provide meaningful military support to Iran given its overstretch in Ukraine.

China: Expressed “deep concern” and called for “an immediate cessation of military action.” Like Russia, China is not positioned to intervene militarily.

Canada and Australia supported the strikes. Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy endorsed them, citing Iran’s supply of Shahed drones to Russia for use against Ukrainian cities.

Oman, the mediator, expressed dismay.

Anti-War Protests

Demonstrations erupted in cities across the United States, including New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and at least a dozen others. The ANSWER Coalition organized emergency protests nationwide.

Internationally, pro-Iranian protests broke out across the Muslim world. In Baghdad, clashes erupted near the U.S. Embassy. Six people were killed in riots near the U.S. consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.

Escalation Risks

The conflict has already expanded from a bilateral exchange into a regional war. Iran has struck at least nine countries. The Strait of Hormuz—through which approximately 20 million barrels of oil per day transit, roughly 20% of globally traded oil—faces potential closure. Oil tankers have begun avoiding the strait. Analysts have warned that a prolonged closure would trigger a global recession.

Oil prices are projected to spike $10-20 per barrel. Global equities are expected to fall 1-2% or more when markets reopen.

This is the second major U.S. military strike on Iran in eight months, following “Operation Midnight Hammer” in June 2025. Multiple think tanks—including the Atlantic Council, Chatham House, and the Council on Foreign Relations—have published analyses warning of catastrophic escalation potential.

Trump indicated a willingness to negotiate with Iran’s new leadership, but a White House official clarified: “Operation Epic Fury continues unabated.”

What Comes Next

Iran faces a leadership vacuum. With Khamenei dead and much of the military and intelligence command structure destroyed, the Assembly of Experts must select a new Supreme Leader. The Council on Foreign Relations identified three possible trajectories: regime continuity, military takeover, or regime collapse. None are expected to produce rapid stabilization.

Trump said the operation could take “four weeks or less” and was proceeding “ahead of schedule.” Congressional briefings from the State Department, Defense Department, Joint Chiefs, and CIA were scheduled for next week.

Al Jazeera drew explicit parallels to the 2003 Iraq invasion. Whether that comparison holds remains to be seen. What is clear is that the diplomatic track that existed 72 hours ago has been replaced by a regional conflict with no defined end state and no legal framework from Congress.