Image Credentials: Image Title: Israel and U.S. Launch “Operation Roaring Lion”: Preemptive Strikes Hit Tehran Source: (sora.openai) Date: Feb 2026. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (sora.openai) and does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies
Saturday, February 28, 2026
TEL AVIV — In a dramatic escalation that has set the Middle East on a knife-edge, Israel and the United States launched a massive joint military operation against Iran early Saturday morning. Codenamed “Operation Roaring Lion” by Jerusalem and “Operation Epic Fury” by the Pentagon, the strikes targeted key military infrastructure and leadership hubs across the Islamic Republic.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the offensive in a televised address, describing it as a “preemptive strike” necessary to “eliminate existential threats” to the State of Israel.
“The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran to remove threats to our nation,” Katz stated. He immediately declared a nationwide state of emergency, effective for 48 hours, as the country braced for an inevitable retaliatory response from Tehran.
Strikes Across the Iranian Heartland
Explosions were reported in several major Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. In the capital, witnesses described thick plumes of smoke rising from the downtown district. Multiple reports indicate that missiles struck the area near the compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, though his current whereabouts remain unconfirmed.
The Pentagon confirmed U.S. participation, with President Donald Trump announcing from Washington that “major combat operations” had begun. The President characterized the strikes as a move to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.
Israel on High Alert
In Israel, the Home Front Command activated sirens across the country, not as a signal of incoming fire, but as a “proactive alert” to ensure the population is prepared. While the military emphasized that there is currently no requirement to remain inside shelters, civilians have been instructed to stay close to protected spaces and avoid all unnecessary travel.
All educational activities and large public gatherings have been suspended, and Israeli airspace has been closed to civilian traffic.
Regional Aftermath
The fallout from the strikes was immediate:
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Airspace Closures: Iraq, Jordan, and the UAE have shut their flight corridors.
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Retaliation: Initial reports from the IRGC suggest that Iran has already begun launching missiles and drones toward Israeli territory and U.S. bases in the Gulf.
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Diplomatic Stalemate: The strikes come just hours after reports of a potential “breakthrough” in nuclear negotiations in Oman, a hope that now appears to have been extinguished by the outbreak of open hostilities.
As of Saturday afternoon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are monitoring the skies for incoming projectiles, while the international community watches with bated breath to see if this “preemptive strike” will spiral into a full-scale regional war.