Israel and the US launched what they called a “preemptive strike” against Iran Saturday morning, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced—an attack that many saw s long time in making, with the White House stepping up pressure on Tehran over its nuclear programme.
Israeli media and US officials told international media the strike was carried out jointly. Israel declared a state of emergency, expecting retaliation from Tehran.
Stay tuned to ThePrint for the latest developments.
US, Israel strike Iran | LIVE UPDATES
2.17 pm: Operation Epic Fury & Lion Roar
As per statements from both the US and Israel, the two countries have given separate names for their operations in Iran.
The US’s is: Operation Epic Fury, and Israel’s is Operation ‘The Roar of the Lion’.
2.15 pm: Air India diverts flight
Air India said it has diverted to Mumbai a flight from Delhi that was bound for Tel Aviv.
2.05 pm: What were the US-Israeli strikes’ targets?
Videos on social media claim that the US-Israeli strikes targeted the Iran intelligence headquarters, along with the headquarters of the Supreme Leader. None of these are confirmed.
There are also claims by Israeli military that it has eliminated Iran military commander; no confirmation of that either.
There’s online chatter of the Iranian port city of Chabahar being under attack too. India had invested heavily in the port, which gave New Delhi access to Central Asia and Afghanistan, bypassing the traditional land route via Pakistan. It was once seen as a strategic outlet for India, but the Union Budget 2026-27 made no allocation for the port for the first time in almost a decade, ThePrint reported earlier this month.
The move came as US was applying pressure on on countries to curtail its investments in Iran.
1.55 pm: Netanyahu calls for Iranian people to ‘take destiny’ into their hands
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement, which says that the country in collaboration with the US has begun the operation to “remove” the “existential threat” posed by the “terrorist regime in Iran”.
“My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, a short time ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran… I thank our great friend, President Donald Trump, for his historic leadership. For 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has been shouting ‘Death to Israel,’ ‘Death to America.’
“It has spilled our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people. This murderous terrorist regime must not be armed with nuclear weapons that would allow it to threaten all of humanity. Our joint action will create the conditions for the courageous Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.
“The time has come for all segments of the Iranian people – the Persians, the Kurds, the Azeris, the Baluchis, and the Ahwazis – to throw off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran.
“I appeal to you, the citizens of Israel, to listen to the instructions of the Home Front Command. In the coming days, in Operation ‘The Roar of the Lion,’ we will all be required to have endurance and fortitude.
“Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel.”
1.45 pm: Strikes continuing in Iran
Reuters port city Bushehr has been attacked, state media reported. It is unclear whether the Bushehr nuclear power plant was damage.
Separately, US officials have told international media that it is expecting a multi-day operation.
1.40 pm: Iran retaliation begins, IDF says air force intercepting threats
And it appears to have begun.
Reports say Israel has missile launches from Iran and has asked its citizens to move to bomb shelters. News agency AP also reports that Israel has ordered citizens across country to shift to bomb shelters.
The Israeli Defence Forces said in a statement that Iran has fired retaliatory strikes.
“At this time, the Israeli Air Force is operating to intercept and strike threats where necessary to remove the threat… The defense is not hermetic, and therefore it is essential that the public continue to adhere to the Home Front Command’s guidelines,” it said.
A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel.
Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026
Israel's Homefront Command has announced that missiles have been launched from Iran and that missile alerts are to be expected "in the coming minutes."
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) February 28, 2026
1.35 pm: Exiled Crown Prince reacts
Exiled ‘Crown Prince’ Reza Pahlavi, who has touted himself as the next leader of a free Iran, posted on Twitter:
“In these sensitive hours and days, more than ever, we must stay focused on our ultimate goal: reclaiming Iran.
I ask you to remain in your homes for now and preserve your safety and security. Stay vigilant and ready so that, at the appropriate time—which I will announce to you precisely—you can return to the streets for the final action.”
1.30 pm: Iran’s state media says President safe
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is “safe and sound”, state media reported on Saturday, following US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic. “President Masoud Pezeshkian is safe and sound and has no problems,” the IRNA news agency reported, alongside the Mehr and ISNA agencies.
1.25 pm: Indians in Iran told to avoid ‘unnecessary movements’
In another advisory, the Indian Embassy in Iran, “In view of the developing situation, all Indian nationals in Iran are advised to exercise utmost caution, avoid unnecessary movements. Indians may also continue to monitor the news, maintain situational awareness and await and further guidance from the Embassy of India.”
ADVISORY as on 28 February 2026 pic.twitter.com/BqQv9AfNAl
— India in Iran (@India_in_Iran) February 28, 2026
1.06 pm: Trump confirms US involvement
Donald Trump says in a video on Truth Social that the US has begun “major combat operations” in Iran. “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” he said.
He also confirms that the US is seeking a regime change in Iran. In the video message, President Trump vows to “destroy” Iran’s missiles and “annihilate” its navy, warns “we may have casualties” during the operation. “Take over your government,” Trump tells Iranian, adding that America is “backing you”.
“This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass,” he says.
#WATCH | US President Donald Trump says, "… To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces, and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or, in the alternative, face certain death. So, lay down your… pic.twitter.com/2QejC7UT6J
— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2026
1.05 pm: Tehran ‘preparing for retaliation’
An Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran is preparing for retaliation after Israel, in coordination with the US, launched an attack Saturday morning. The response will be crushing, the official said.
1 pm: Last round of talks ended the day before
Longtime adversaries Iran and the United States held their third round of Oman-mediated nuclear talks on Thursday in Geneva, seeking to avert military escalation as Washington expands its military build-up in the region.
A day later, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that in order to reach a deal, the United States will have to drop its “excessive demands”. “Success in this path requires seriousness and realism from the other side and avoidance of any miscalculation and excessive demands”, Aragchi told Egypt’s top diplomat Badr Abdelatty in a phone call, according to news agency AFP.
Trump, referring to the talks in brief comments on Friday, voiced frustration with Iran’s stance. “We’re not exactly happy with the way they negotiated. They cannot have nuclear weapons, and we’re not thrilled with the way they’re negotiating,” Trump told reporters.
12.55 pm: India issues advisory for citizens in Israel
The Indian Embassy in Israel has issued an advisory to citizens to exercise “utmost caution”.
“In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times. Indian nationals are strongly advised to strictly adhere to the safety guidelines and instructions issued by the Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command,” it reads.
In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times. Indian nationals are strongly advised to strictly adhere to the safety guidelines and instructions issued by the… pic.twitter.com/xFKQG2doTl
— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2026
The Indian Embassy in Jordan has also issued a similar advisory, says tourists are advised to leave the country before commercial flights are disrupted.
12.50 pm: Israel and Iran both close airspace
Israel has closed its airspace to civilian flights following the attack on Iran, the country’s media reports.
Tasnim News Agency, state media linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reports Iran’s airspace has also been closed.
Flight tracking app shows how commercial air travel is diverting to avoid flying over the two countries.
Israel says it has launched a pre-emptive attack on Iran.
· Iranian airspace is now closed by NOTAM until at least 1200 UTC
· Flights are also diverting away from Tel Aviv and Amman.https://t.co/f3eeIzqVaZ pic.twitter.com/fOnJ9U7IKX— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 28, 2026
12.30 pm: ‘Khamenei not in Tehran’
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is not in Tehran, has been moved to a secure location, an official told Reuters.
Talks of a regime change have simmered since large-scale anti-government protests in Tehran in recent months. At the time, US President Donald Trump said, “Help is on the way”. While America did not intervene at the time, Trump has repeatedly backed the idea of a regime change: describing such an outcome as “the best thing that could happen” in comments earlier this month.
The idea also appeals to Trump, whose forces in January went into Venezuela and captured the country’s leader Nicolas Maduro before bringing him on American soil to face charges there.
According to reports, Israeli media is saying the intent of the strikes is “regime change”.
12.05 pm: Iranian media show images of strike in Tehran
BBC reports at least three explosions heard in downtown Tehran.
12 pm: Israel declares emergency
In the last few minutes, sirens were sounded all throughout Israel, with an advance instruction alert directly to cellular devices to stay within proximity to protected spaces.
This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward…
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026