US & Israel strike Iran: What we know so far
February 28, 2026
After about two months of building up forces in the region following Iran’s brutal crackdown on protestors, the United States, with Israel, has unleashed its expected air strikes on Iran. President Trump called on the Iranian people to rise up, calling it a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
This is a developing story, and the fog of war is real, but it appears this will be on a much larger scale than Operational Rising Lion and Operation Midnight Hammer in 2025. At this early stage, much is not yet known, although videos quickly emerged online as the strikes hit; the internet was swiftly cut off in Iran. Now, most videos appear to be those filmed in neighbouring states.
First strikes by the US and Israel on Iran
On Friday evening, there was apprehension in the OSINT intelligence community that that would be the night strikes would begin. Instead, there was some surprise as the strikes started in the Iranian morning.
"Israel “assesses” that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was likely killed in an Israeli strike earlier today, Channel 12 says, citing unnamed Israeli sources. It says there are “growing indications” to this effect."https://t.co/uyttNTOmuC
— Preston Stewart (@prestonstew_) February 28, 2026
The strikes started as the USS Gerald R. Ford arrived in position in the Eastern Mediterranean, after Indian Prime Minister Modi departed Israel after a visit this week.
The massive first wave included a mixture of Israeli and American fighter jets and missiles, including Tomahawk missiles.
President Donald J. Trump on the United States military combat operations in Iran: pic.twitter.com/LimJmpLkgZ
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 28, 2026
Initial strikes appear to have been decapitation strikes aimed at eliminating Iran’s leadership, including those from the highest levels of Iranian government. Early satellite images appear to show Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s compound destroyed.
Other strikes have been against Iranian military sites across the nation.
Footage of an Iranian attack drone slamming into the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain moments ago. pic.twitter.com/wHbje3eiiy
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026
Ahead of the strikes, the US assembled what is being described as the largest air force build-up since the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. This includes two aircraft carrier strike groups, and dozens of F-15s, F-16s, F-35s, and F-35s with many supporting tankers and special mission aircraft.
The United Kingdom ferried more Typhoons to its base in Cyprus and Qatar, with some F-35Bs reported to have been stationed in Cyprus. The UK is not reported to be taking part in offensive strikes against Iran, but its jets are almost certainly working to defend against Iranian strikes has they have in the past.
#Breaking: #AirbusDefense has published the first satellite image of the palace and hideout of dictator Ali #Khamenei of the Islamic regime of #Iran after it was targeted during the joint #US–#Israeli military strike.#IranRevolution #IranRevolution2026 #OperationLionRoar… https://t.co/9Ri0JzB9v2 pic.twitter.com/DDy4qQmsWH
— Babak Taghvaee – The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) February 28, 2026
It is almost certain that the Gulf States’ air forces and Jordan’s air force are also taking part in air defence.
Iran’s massive ballistic missile response
Iran has responded with missile and Shahed drone attacks against US assets and bases across the region. Iran appears to have fired missiles at US bases in Bahrain, the UAE (including Abu Dhabi and Dubai), Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan, as well as Israel.
Videos have been emerging of numerous Iranian missiles and drones being shotdown across the region, with some missiles and drones making it through.
There have been confirmed Iranian hits in many of these countries, including a video of an Iranian Shahed drone successfully slamming into the US Navy’s 5th Fleet facilities in Bahrain. Iran is also targeting Israel.
Another video from the U.S. Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain. pic.twitter.com/9dMcJGzWAc
— Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) February 28, 2026
From early reporting, it appears that there have been multiple impacts at US and Israeli facilities across the region. For now, it is impossible to assess what damage there may have been or if any aircraft have been destroyed on the ground.
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Iran’s air force and air defence
Iran’s air force has suffered from decades of sanctions and mostly has obsolete systems like Northrop F-5s, Mirage F-1s, F-4s, MiG-29s, and possibly some airworthy F-14 Tomcats. There were unconfirmed reports Iran may have recieved Russian Su-35s in late 2025, but that is unclear; it does appear Iran recieved some Russian helicopters.
Here it is, a #USAF 🇺🇸 Reaper over Shiraz, Fars Province. #Iran
— Shin (@hey_itsmyturn) February 28, 2026
Reports: 20+ explosions
(All videos are exclusive, yet you can use them as long as you don't watermark them) https://t.co/VCa9s2BhOm pic.twitter.com/M2RwMNyeA0
Initial strikes appear to have targeted Iranian air bases, including Iran’s 6th Tactical Air Base. What flyable air force Iran did have was already heavily degraded in Israel’s 2025 strikes.
In what could be interpreted as a sign of desperation, a lone Iranian MiG-29, seemingly without weapons, has been filmed by residents of Tehran flying low and slow over the city. It is unclear if it was providing air defence, perhaps with its cannon, or was flying in an attempt to demonstrate to the people that the Iranian Air Force still exists.
🎥WATCH: IDF strikes hundreds of targets in western Iran as part of Operation Roaring Lion pic.twitter.com/KYMYVL8DOQ
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026
But the priority for the US and Israel is not necessarily whatever is left of Iran’s geriatric air force; it is Iran’s missile forces and air defence. And other high-profile targets like its navy and nuclear sites.
In a sign that Israel and the US may have achieved air superiority within the first hours, videos have emerged showing MQ-9A Reaper drones flying deep in Iran over the city of Shiraz, searching for and destroying ballistic missile launchers.
#Breaking: Unable to do anything and unable to stop the #Israel and U.S. Air Forces, the Islamic regime of #Iran has ordered the poor #IranianAirForce to fly its MiG-29 fighter jets at low altitude over #Tehran, the capital city of #Iran, right now.#IranRevolution… pic.twitter.com/oSSn6qwLHc
— Babak Taghvaee – The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) February 28, 2026
Israel has already released combat footage showing its fighter jets destroying Iranian missile launchers.
