Smoke billows over central Tehran following reported airstrikes. Photo: X
United States (US) and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran early on Saturday, February 28, with explosions reported in Tehran, sharply escalating tensions across West Asia.
In a statement, US President Donald Trump said Washington had begun “major combat operations” as part of a planned multi-day campaign.
Iran retaliated by launching missile attacks towards Israel and targeting US military bases in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), raising fears of a broader regional conflict. Iran, Iraq and Israel shut their airspaces, while several international airlines suspended or rerouted flights across the Middle East, disrupting travel and heightening global security concerns.
4: 28 pm IST: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had struck Israeli and US military targets across the Middle East with what it described as powerful missile attacks.
In a statement, the IRGC said the operation would continue until its objectives were achieved, adding that all American assets in the region were considered legitimate targets. There was no immediate confirmation from US or Israeli authorities.
4:24 pm IST: India has advised its citizens in Saudi Arabia to remain vigilant and strictly follow safety guidelines issued by local authorities amid the evolving regional situation.
In an advisory, the Embassy of India in Riyadh said it continues to function normally and will issue updates as required. The mission also shared emergency helpline numbers and urged nationals to stay alert and remain in contact if assistance is needed.
4:21 pm IST: Explosions have been heard in Tel Aviv, according to an Al Jazeera correspondent, as the Israeli Home Front Command announced that sirens were activated in the greater Tel Aviv area.
4:15 pm IST: Saudi Arabia has condemned in the strongest terms the Iranian attacks on the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait.
In a statement, Riyadh warned of serious consequences over continued violations of state sovereignty and international law, and called for restraint to prevent further escalation in the region.
4:10 pm IST: AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Israel, calling it untimely amid the escalating Iran–Israel tensions.
In a statement, Owaisi said India had traditionally maintained a balanced and neutral approach in West Asia and questioned the decision to alter that stance at a sensitive moment.
He also highlighted the presence of millions of Indians in Gulf countries and raised concerns about their safety during the crisis.
Owaisi further alleged that the visit was used by Israel to strengthen its strategic narrative and said the government should have assessed potential risks, including the safety of Indian citizens and media personnel in the region.
4:03 pm IST: Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the country “will not hesitate” to respond following the joint US-Israeli strikes.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, the ministry said it was time to defend the country and confront what it described as military aggression.
4 pm IST: Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported that an Israeli strike hit an elementary school for girls in Minab, in Hormozgan province in southern Iran.
According to the report, five students were killed. There was no immediate confirmation from Israeli authorities, and further details were not available.
3: 59 pm IST: The Embassy of India in the UAE has advised nationals to avoid unnecessary travel, remain vigilant and follow instructions issued by local authorities amid the evolving security situation.
The embassy and the Consulate General in Dubai said their operations remain normal and shared emergency contact details, urging Indian citizens to stay in touch and seek assistance if required.
3:53 pm IST: Several international airlines have suspended or cancelled flights across the Middle East following the latest escalation, according to Reuters.
Air Arabia has cancelled services to Iran, Iraq and other parts of the region, while Air France, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines have halted flights to several destinations including Tel Aviv and Beirut.
Air India and IndiGo have also suspended operations to parts of the Middle East, and Qatar Airways has temporarily stopped flights due to airspace restrictions. Other carriers, including Norwegian Air, Oman Air, Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air, have either suspended or rerouted services as aviation authorities continue to monitor the situation.
3:45 pm IST: Qatar’s Interior Ministry said the attempted missile attack on the country did not result in any human losses or material damage.
The ministry urged citizens and residents to avoid suspicious objects and report them to the authorities, as security agencies continue monitoring the situation.
3:40 pm IST: Sirens have been activated again in parts of Kuwait, according to Al Jazeera’s correspondent.
3:35 pm IST: One person has been killed after missile fragments fell on a residential area in Abu Dhabi, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Authorities said the incident occurred amid the ongoing regional escalation. Further details on the victim and the extent of damage were not immediately available.
3:29 pm IST: A nine-storey residential building in northern Israel was hit amid the ongoing escalation, according to Israeli media reports.
Channel 12 said one man sustained minor injuries after being struck by shrapnel from interceptor missiles. The impact caused significant damage to an apartment in the building.
3:23 pm IST: Bahrain has confirmed that several sites and facilities were targeted in what it described as a blatant violation of the kingdom’s sovereignty and security.
According to Qatar’s news agency, authorities called the strikes “treacherous attacks” that pose a direct threat to the safety of citizens and residents, and said the country would take necessary measures to safeguard national security.
3:20 pm IST: The UAE’s Ministry of Interior said it is closely monitoring regional developments and has taken all necessary precautionary measures to ensure public safety.
In a statement, the ministry said it remains at the highest level of readiness in coordination with relevant authorities. It urged residents to rely on official sources for information and avoid spreading rumours or unverified reports.
3:17 pm IST: Explosions have been reported in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, according to AFP.
3:14 pm IST: Four major US military bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates are under heavy missile attack, Iran’s Fars News Agency reported.
According to the report, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard launched the strikes as part of its response to the latest escalation. There was no immediate confirmation from US or Gulf authorities.
3:13 pm IST: Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have vowed to resume missile and drone attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and Israel in support of Iran, according to two senior Houthi officials, Associated Press reported.
The officials said the first attack could take place as early as “tonight”. The group had earlier halted such operations under separate understandings that paused US strikes and reduced regional hostilities.
3:09 pm IST: Fresh explosions have been heard in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, AFP reported.
3:06 pm IST: Qatar’s Ministry of Defence said it had successfully repelled a number of attacks targeting the country’s territory, adding that all missiles were intercepted before reaching their intended targets.
In a statement, the ministry said the security situation remains stable and under full control. It added that the country has the necessary capabilities and resources to safeguard national security and counter any external threats.
2:58 pm IST: Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have closed or restricted their airspace as security concerns rise following the latest regional escalation.
2:52 pm IST: Internet access in Iran has been almost completely disrupted, according to the internet monitoring group NetBlocks.
2:48 pm IST: Explosions have been heard in Kuwait, with sirens activated across parts of the country, according to Al Jazeera Arabic.
2:47 pm IST: A loud explosion has been reported in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, according to the Reuters. There was no immediate confirmation about the cause of the blast.
2:46 pm IST: Bahrain has confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy’s 5th Fleet in the country was targeted in a missile attack amid escalating regional tensions.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Authorities said security forces were responding, while further details were awaited
2:40 pm IST: A senior Iranian official has warned that all American and Israeli assets and interests in the Middle East are now considered legitimate targets following the latest escalation.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, the official said Iran’s response would be public and without limits, adding that there were “no red lines” after what he described as aggression by the United States and Israel. He urged Israel to prepare for retaliation and said Tehran’s response would be complex and could involve scenarios not previously considered.
The official added that the conflict could have wide and long-term repercussions, stressing that calls for Iran to show restraint or surrender were unacceptable.
Qatar’s Defence Ministry said an Iranian missile was intercepted by the Patriot air defence system amid rising regional tensions.
The ministry said the situation was under control and that no casualties or damage had been reported. Officials urged residents to remain calm and follow instructions from authorities.
Several hospitals in Israel launched their emergency protocols, including moving patients and surgeries to underground facilities.
India has advised its citizens in Qatar to exercise caution and follow official updates amid the evolving regional situation.
In an advisory, the Embassy of India in Doha asked nationals to stay alert, monitor news and follow instructions issued by the mission and local authorities. The embassy said it continues to function as usual and shared its 24-hour helpline for assistance.
Indian airline IndiGo said it is closely monitoring developments related to Iran and its airspace amid escalating regional tensions.
In a travel advisory, the carrier said the safety of passengers and crew remains its top priority and that it is prepared to make operational adjustments if required. Customers have been advised to check their flight status before departure, with updates to be communicated promptly if any disruptions occur.
Qatar’s Ministry of Interior said the country’s security situation remains stable and secure despite rising regional tensions.
In a statement, the ministry said there were no indications at present that warrant concern regarding internal security and urged residents to rely on official sources for updates.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint operation with the United States was intended to remove what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran, Associated Press reported.
In a statement, he said the attacks targeted facilities linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and the Basij force, along with ballistic missile sites. Netanyahu added that the objective was to end the security threat from the Iranian leadership.
The British embassy in Doha has advised UK nationals in Qatar to remain indoors following the morning’s strikes and heightened regional tensions.
The United States is carrying out its military operation against Iran through both air and naval forces, according to US officials quoted by NBC News.
A large number of fighter jets are involved in the strikes, while Tomahawk missiles are being launched from US Navy ships. The operation is targeting Iranian military and security sites, officials said.
Iran’s Supreme Leader was not in Tehran at the time of the strikes and has been moved to a secure location, according to a Reuters report citing a source and carried by Al Jazeera.
India has advised its citizens in Iran to exercise utmost caution, avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors as far as possible amid the developing situation following the latest military escalation.
In a statement on X, the Embassy of India in Tehran urged nationals to closely monitor news updates, maintain situational awareness and await further guidance. The mission also reiterated its emergency contact numbers and asked Indians to remain in touch in case of any urgent assistance.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday confirmed Washington’s involvement in the attack on Iran and urged Iranians to “take over” their government following the strikes on Tehran.
Calling the Iranian leadership a “vicious group of hard, terrible people”, Trump said the objective of the military action was to protect the American people by eliminating threats from the country.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, he said the US had begun major combat operations in Iran, aimed at countering what he described as imminent security risks posed by Tehran.
Trump also alleged that Iran had continued to advance its nuclear programme and was working to develop long-range missiles capable of reaching the US, according to media reports.
In a separate video message, Trump acknowledged the possibility of casualties, saying American forces could face losses during the operation. He said such outcomes were common in war. The video appeared to be recorded at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, where he was seen wearing a white “USA” baseball cap, a navy suit and a white shirt without a tie, with a dark blue curtain visible in the background.
The US Embassy in Doha has asked American citizens in Qatar to remain indoors and follow a shelter-in-place advisory until further notice amid rising regional tensions.
It urged citizens to stay in secure locations, avoid demonstrations, monitor local media, keep phones charged and maintain communication with family. It also advised enrolment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for security updates.
This post was last modified on February 28, 2026 5:21 pm