• US and Israel launched pre-emptive strikes against multiple locations in Iran, with explosions reported in Tehran.
• Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated the attacks aimed to eliminate threats to Israel.
• President Donald Trump described operations as aimed at "eliminating imminent threats" from Iran, calling for regime change.
• Iran has vowed a "crushing" response, escalating fears of wider conflict in the Middle East.
• Authorities in Israel activated emergency protocols as they prepared for potential retaliatory strikes from Iran.

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a series of coordinated strikes against Iran, marking a significant escalation in military tensions in the region. The attacks targeted multiple locations across Iran, including sites near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as explosions were reported in Tehran and other cities, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated the operation was intended to "remove threats to the State of Israel," emphasizing the need for aggressive defense measures during a period of heightened anxiety over Iran's nuclear ambitions. Witnesses in Tehran reported loud blasts and chaos as the attack unfolded while Iranian state television confirmed widespread assaults in the capital and beyond, according to Al Jazeera and Los Angeles Times.

President Donald Trump stated the US military had commenced "major combat operations" in Iran, aiming to “eliminate imminent threats” from the Iranian regime, which he characterized as a long-standing problem for the region and the world. His administration mobilized a range of military assets to execute the strikes, further emphasizing the seriousness with which the US regards Iran's activities, as reported by India Times and Middle East Eye.

In response to the strikes, Iran has promised a "crushing" retaliation against both American forces and Israeli targets, indicating a likely increase in tensions that could destabilize the entire region. The Iranian military has begun preparing for an offensive, with officials warning that any attacks on Iran would be met with significant reprisals, as detailed by Le Monde and Middle East Eye.

The implications of these attacks may extend beyond Iran as neighboring countries, including Iraq and Bahrain, heightened their security protocols in anticipation of potential retaliatory strikes from Iran, which might include targeting US military installations throughout the region, according to Los Angeles Times and Al Jazeera.