Live! Iran defence minister likely dead; Araghchi calls regime change ‘mission impossible’
Iran retaliates after US, Israel bomb Tehran; flights cancelled as 6 countries close airspace; Trump says he wants ‘a safe nation’; India urges restraint
West Asia (the Middle East) exploded on Saturday (February 28) as Iran retaliated with missile strikes on US military bases in Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait, as well as Israel, hours after the latter and the US jointly bombed Tehran early in the day.
The first strikes of the attack appeared to target the compound home to Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in downtown Tehran. It wasn’t immediately clear if he was there at the time.
Smoke could be seen rising from the Iranian capital as the US and Israel launched a major attack on targets across Iran. The bombing of a girl's primary school in southern Iran claimed 51 lives.
US President Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to “take over your government” — an extraordinary appeal that suggested the allies could be seeking to end of the country’s theocracy after decades of tensions.
The attack quickly expanded beyond Iran. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it responded by launching a “first wave” of drones and missiles targeting Israel, where a nationwide warning was issued.
Meanwhile, Bahrain said that a missile attack targeted the US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom. Witnesses heard sirens and explosions in Kuwait, home to US Army Central. Explosions could also be heard in Qatar.
The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Israel and Iran closed their airspace, and sirens were sounded in Jordan too.
Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a defiant statement, saying that the country “will not hesitate” in its response. In a statement posted on X, the ministry said: “The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemy's military assault.”
News agency Reuters reported later that Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour were possibly dead.
Indian embassy urges caution
The Indian Embassy in Iran issued an advisory for its citizens, urging them to exercise “utmost caution” and "remain indoors as far as possible”.
It further said that all the Indian nationals may also consider to monitor news, maintain social awareness and await any further guidance from the Embassy of India.
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Live Updates
- 28 Feb 2026 4:36 PM IST
Congress slams Modi's Israel visit ahead of Iran strikes, says not good for India's interests
The Israel-US military attacks on Iran seem to have triggered a domestic political flare-up as the Opposition Congress has slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance government's foreign policy measures, particularly in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's just concluded visit to Israel when he committed his country's support for Jerusalem.
In a statement by the party's foreign affairs department, it was said that the visit created a "percetion of partisan alignment and tacit endorsement of unprovoked aggression" and warned that it would lead to "grave strategic consequences" for India.
Salman Khurshid, who heads the department, said "perception of political endorsement" of military escalation is not in compliance with New Delhi's policy of commitment towards a rules-based international order and the UN Charter. It was also said that India needs to keep in mind not only its ties with Israel but also with Iran, Palestine and West Asia.
Statement on Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Israel and attack on Iran, by the Foreign Affairs Department, @INCIndia. pic.twitter.com/dWLs6wvSc0
— Salman Khurshid (@salman7khurshid) February 28, 2026 - 28 Feb 2026 4:29 PM IST
Khamenei's palace completely destroyed, says Israel media; but where is he?
Israel's Channel 12 quoted unnamed sources in the Jewish nation to claim that the palace of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was completely destroyed in the relentless military assault on Saturday. It, however, said that whether the leader was present at the time of the attack was not confirmed. The media outlet also said that Iran's key leaders were targeted in the strikes.
- 28 Feb 2026 4:22 PM IST
Trump says his main concern is Iranians' 'freedom'
US President Donald Trump told the Washington Post early on Saturday that his main concern is "freedom" for the people of Iran, and that Washington is trying to make the West Asian nation a safe place.
“All I want is freedom for the people,” he told the Post in a brief telephonic conversation.
“I want a safe nation, and that’s what we’re going to have.”
In an earlier video statement, Trump appealed to Iranians to use the large-scale attacks on Iran to overthrow the country’s clerical leadership.
"When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations," he said.
The Republican leader also confirmed later that "major combat operations" were under way.
- 28 Feb 2026 4:15 PM IST
Iran declares state of readiness for defence amid military assaults
Amid the ongoing Israel-US attacks on Iran, the latter's foreign ministry has issued condemnation and declared a state of readiness for defence and asserting Tehran's right to retaliate, Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported.
The statement, which it issued on Saturday, accused the US and Israel of violating the United Nations Charter and kicking off an overtly aggressive action, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan and ahead of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. The foreign ministry said the attacks were carried out against both military and civilian sites across Iran.
The statement also recalled that the latest act of aggression has taken place when Iran and the US were engaged in diplomatic talks and claimed that Tehran remained committed towards the negotiations despite being aware of the Israeli and American leaders' plan for military attack, the media outlet reported.
- 28 Feb 2026 4:04 PM IST
At least 5 killed as Israel strikes Iran girls' school: Iranian media
An Israeli strike hit an elementary girls' school in the city of Minab in Hormozgan province in southern Iran during Saturday's attacks, Iranian media reports said. At least five students were killed in the assault, while several others were injured, they added.
- 28 Feb 2026 3:55 PM IST
IndiGo suspends all Middle East flights temporarily amid Iran situation
IndiGo has temporarily suspended flights to and from Middle East due to Iran conflict. In a post on X on Saturday (February 28), the airline said, "In view of evolving airspace restrictions around Iran and Middle East, all flights to and from Middle East are cancelled till 0000hrs.
"These measures have been instituted as the safety and security of our customers and crew is our highest priority. Our teams are continuously monitoring the evolving situation and recalibrating operations to minimise disruption as much as possible."
Indigo also urged its customers to check their flight status prior to departure.
Travel Advisory
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) February 28, 2026
In view of evolving airspace restrictions around Iran and Middle East, all flights to and from Middle East are cancelled till 0000hrs.
These measures have been instituted as the safety and security of our customers and crew is our highest priority. Our teams are… - 28 Feb 2026 3:47 PM IST
UAE says it intercepts Iranian ballistic missiles; civilian death reported in Abu Dhabi
The UAE's defence ministry has said in a statement that its air defences intercepted a number of Iranian ballistic missiles after alleging that the country was targeted by Tehran's air ammunition.
The report indicated that the descent of shrapnel onto a residential zone in the city of Abu Dhabi led to certain material damage and the death of an individual of Asian nationality.
“The ministry condemned this attack in the strongest terms, stressing the state’s categorical rejection of targeting civilian objects, facilities and national institutions, and emphasising that such acts represent a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the security and safety of civilians and undermines stability,” the statement said.
- 28 Feb 2026 3:44 PM IST
Strike on Iraq base kills Kataeb Hezbollah fighters: Report
A strike on an Iraqi military base used by a pro-Iran faction has left at least two fighters dead, according to sources within the influential group Kataeb Hezbollah who spoke to AFP.
“There are two martyrs from Kataeb and another five wounded in the aggression” at the Jurf al-Sakher base, also known as Jurf al-Nasr, in southern Iraq, reported AFP, quoting a Kataeb Hezbollah source.
- 28 Feb 2026 3:27 PM IST
Four US bases targeted after strikes: Iranian media
Iran’s state-affiliated media reported that four US military installations in the Middle East were struck in retaliation for American and Israeli attacks on Iranian cities, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
According to the Fars news agency, quoting the IRGC, Iranian missile strikes targeted Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates and the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain.
- 28 Feb 2026 3:24 PM IST
Blasts rock Northern Israel as themilitary intercept incoming Iranian missiles
Explosions rocked northern Israel on Saturday as the country worked to intercept incoming Iranian missiles after launching a nationwide attack with the US on Iran. The blasts echoed just after the Israeli military said it would be using its air defence systems to bring down the Iranian fire. There was no immediate word on any damage or casualties from the ongoing attack. (AP)
