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 1:08 PM IST
Trump confirms US role in Iran attack video
US President Donald Trump has shared an eight-minute video on his social media platform, Truth Social, confirming that the United States took part in the attack on Iran.
- 28 Feb 2026 1:01 PM IST
Israeli hospitals move underground as alert level raised
Several of Israel’s largest hospitals say they are transferring services below ground after the Health Ministry ordered medical centres nationwide to move to the highest level of readiness.
“The Ministry of Health has instructed hospitals to discharge patients who do not require hospitalisation,” the ministry said in a statement, directing facilities to shift operations to protected underground areas, reported CNN.
Tel Aviv’s Sourasky Medical Centre said it has opened its subterranean emergency hospital and begun relocating patients and departments to the reinforced complex.
“Sensitive units have already begun operating in protected spaces,” the hospital said.
Sheba Medical Centre in Ramat Gan said it is preparing to move its departments into underground facilities.
“All medical, nursing, and logistical teams are prepared and ready to provide optimal and rapid medical care to every patient,” the hospital said.
Rambam Hospital in Haifa said it is clearing its underground parking areas in preparation for “an emergency state.”
“The public is requested not to arrive except in urgent and emergency medical situations,” the hospital said.
Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency response service, said it is working in full coordination with Home Front Command, the Israeli military and the Health Ministry as operations shift from routine to emergency footing.
- 28 Feb 2026 12:59 PM IST
US strikes target military sites: Report
A US official said the current strikes are aimed at military sites but declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing nature of the operation.
A second US official said the purpose of the action is to counter the Iranian military threat and safeguard American forces. According to the first official, steps were taken in advance to protect US military personnel in the region, reported CNN.
- 28 Feb 2026 12:57 PM IST
Trump’s 2025 strike marked first US attack on Iran
The previous US strike on Iranian territory took place in June 2025, when President Donald Trump directed American warplanes to release heavy munitions on three nuclear facilities inside Iran.
That decision made him the first US president in nearly 50 years of hostility with the Islamic Republic to approve a direct attack on Iranian soil.
In response, Iran launched roughly a dozen short- and medium-range ballistic missiles at al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest US military installation in the Middle East.
Shortly after, the US president declared a ceasefire and cautioned Israel against carrying out further airstrikes on Iran.
- 28 Feb 2026 12:56 PM IST
'Be ready to respond quickly': US Ambassador to Americans in Israel
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee urged American citizens in Israel to be ready to respond quickly if warning sirens are activated.
“We are encouraging all Embassy team & families & US citizens in Israel to be prepared for Home Front Command alerts & sirens. Stay near shelters & take immediate action at the sound of alerts or sirens,” Ambassador Huckabee wrote on X.
- 28 Feb 2026 12:53 PM IST
Iran to close airspace for six hours
Iranian authorities have said that the country’s airspace will be closed for six hours, reported the state news agency IRNA. Heavy explosions were reported in parts of Tehran, with thick smoke seen rising from the city centre.
The report further stated that the blasts occurred at two locations in the capital.
- 28 Feb 2026 12:48 PM IST
US coordinated with Israel on Iran strike: Report
Israeli and US media outlets report that Washington coordinated with Israel on the attack targeting Iran.
CNN reported that Israel’s operation was carried out in coordination with the United States, a claim echoed by Israel’s Ynet News.
Three US officials told CNN that American forces are conducting strikes on Iran. One official said the operation is ongoing and characterized it as “not a small strike.”
- 28 Feb 2026 12:45 PM IST
Iran state media confirms strikes in Tehran
Iran’s state-run rolling news channel IRINN has confirmed reports of strikes on 28 February in Tehran, according to a caption carried on screen, after Israel described its action as a “pre-emptive attack” on Iran.
The broadcaster briefly lost audio at around 06:30 GMT before returning to regular programming. A scrolling ticker then reported smoke rising and explosions heard in areas of the capital.
IRINN later switched to pre-recorded images of pro-government rallies set to music, along with archive comments from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urging unity against “enemies.” The coverage also included interviews with backers of the Islamic Republic who voiced opposition to foreign intervention.
- 28 Feb 2026 12:41 PM IST
Israel closes airspace as IDF issues proactive alert
The Israel Defence Forces said the “proactive alert” was issued to ready the public for the potential of missile fire directed at Israeli territory.
At this stage, the military said, there is no instruction for residents to move into shelters.
With strikes underway against Iran, Israel shut its airspace to civilian traffic.
“The public is requested not to come to airports until further notice,” the Transportation Ministry says in a statement. “Passengers currently abroad are asked to stay updated via the media and through their airlines regarding flight schedules once the airspace reopens.”
The ministry also says that Israelis overseas “are requested to follow the directives and recommendations of the National Security Council.”
“As soon as the security situation permits, the airspace will reopen and flights to and from Israel will resume. Notice of this will be given 24 hours before flights are renewed," stated the IDF .
- 28 Feb 2026 12:32 PM IST
'Preemptive strike against Iran to remove threats to Israel': Defense Minister Israel Katz
Israel said it carried out a preemptive military strike on Iran, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the two regional adversaries.
Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the operation early Friday, describing it as a defensive measure aimed at neutralizing imminent threats. He said he had declared an “immediate state of emergency throughout the entire country.”
“The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel,” he said as quoted by the Times of Israel.
As the announcement was made, warning sirens sounded in multiple areas across the country. The Israel Defense Forces’ Home Front Command issued guidance to the public, urging heightened vigilance.
In a statement circulated to residents, the message said that “due to the security situation,” civilians should ensure they know what the optimal protected shelter near them is and avoid non-essential travel.
No immediate details were released about the scope of the strike or possible Iranian retaliation.
