The United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran early Feb. 28, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior military and intelligence officials.
Iranian state media later confirmed Khamenei’s death.
U.S. officials say more than 40 top Iranian leaders were killed in the opening phase of the operation, which has been dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.”
President Donald Trump said the strikes began at 1:15 a.m. ET and will continue “until all of our objectives are achieved.”
Leadership Decapitation
According to the Israel Defense Forces, the U.S. and Israeli militaries struck two separate high-level gatherings in Tehran.
An IDF spokesperson said Khamenei was killed in “the leadership compound in the heart of Tehran where he was staying along with other senior officials.”
The Pentagon said more than 1,000 targets were hit in the first 24 hours. Those included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps headquarters, naval assets, air defense systems, and command centers.
Top officials confirmed dead include Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpour, senior intelligence official Saleh Asadi, and longtime military bureau chief Mohammad Shirazi.
Israel said two heads of Iran’s nuclear research organization were also killed.
Why the Strikes Happened
A senior Trump administration official said intelligence showed Iran was preparing missile strikes.
“We had analysis that basically told us, if we sat back and waited to get hit first, the amount of casualties and damage would be substantially higher,” the official said.
Another official said Iran rejected U.S. nuclear proposals.
“One of the things we offered them was we said we will give you free nuclear fuel forever,” the official said. “And they basically said that didn’t work for them. They needed to enrich uranium.”
Trump said the goal is to make sure Iran “can never have a nuclear weapon.”
3 U.S. Service Members Killed
As the campaign escalates, the Pentagon confirmed American casualties.
United States Central Command said three U.S. service members were killed in action during Operation Epic Fury.
Five others were seriously wounded.
Several additional troops suffered minor shrapnel wounds and concussions and are being evaluated before returning to duty.
“Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing,” Central Command said in a statement.
Officials added that the situation remains fluid.
Trump acknowledged the cost of the operation but called it a “noble mission.”
Trump: Operation Could Last Weeks
In interviews over the weekend, Trump said the operation could continue for four to five weeks.
“People have wanted to do it for 47 years,” Trump said. “They’ve killed people for 47 years, and now it’s reversed on them.”
He said strikes will continue until threats are eliminated.
“Our resolve and likewise, that of Israel, has never been stronger,” Trump said in a video address.
The president also called on Iranians to act.
“Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment, to be brave, be bold, be heroic and take back your country,” Trump said. “America is with you. I made a promise to you, and I fulfilled that promise. The rest will be up to you.”
Iran Retaliates Across Region
Iran launched missile attacks at Israeli cities and U.S. positions across the Middle East.
Residential areas in central Israel were struck. Israel’s rescue service said nine people were killed.
Three people were killed in the UAE. One person died in Kuwait.
Missiles and drones also targeted airports, oil facilities, hotels, and military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, and the UAE.
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, warned, “You have crossed our red line and must pay the price.”
“We will deliver such devastating blows that you yourselves will be driven to beg,” he said.
Trump responded on Truth Social.
“They better not do that,” he wrote. “Because if they do, we will hit them with a force that has never been seen before!”
U.S. embassies in the region issued shelter-in-place warnings. Airspace across several Gulf nations has been temporarily closed.
Power Vacuum in Tehran
Iran has declared national mourning.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said new leadership could be selected within days. President Masoud Pezeshkian said the transition process is underway.
Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, announced an interim leadership council would govern until a successor is chosen.
Larijani also rejected talks with Washington.
“We will not negotiate with the United States,” he wrote on X. “Trump plunged the region into chaos.”
But Trump said Iran’s new leadership has signaled it wants talks.
“They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk,” Trump said. “They should have done it sooner.”
No meeting date has been set.
Exiled Prince Calls It the End
Exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi said the Islamic Republic has “in effect reached its end.”
“The Islamic Republic has in effect reached its end and will very soon be consigned to the dustbin of history,” Pahlavi wrote.
He called on Iran’s military and security forces to help secure a “stable transition to a free and prosperous future.”
Trump declined to name who he believes should lead Iran next.
“I have three very good choices,” he said. “I won’t be revealing them now. Let’s get the job done first.”
The future of Iran’s government remains uncertain as the regional conflict widens.