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| Image: via Reuters |
Dubai, March 1 - In the early hours of Saturday, February 28, 2026, Tehran launched a series of retaliatory strikes following a major joint military operation by the United States and Israel against targets inside Iran. Iranian forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, fired waves of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israeli territory and multiple U.S. military installations across the Middle East. The operation, described by Iranian state media as a measured response to unprovoked aggression, aimed at military assets to demonstrate resolve while avoiding broader civilian escalation. Explosions were reported in several locations as air defense systems activated in response to the incoming projectiles.
The retaliatory actions extended beyond Israel to U.S. bases hosted in allied Gulf nations. Missiles struck facilities including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Additional reports indicated impacts in Jordan and other regional sites linked to American presence. These strikes disrupted regional air travel, with airlines suspending flights to and from affected areas, and raised immediate concerns over potential interference with critical oil shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
The escalation stems from preceding U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that hit key Iranian military and leadership sites, including areas near Tehran's supreme leader compound and facilities associated with missile and defense systems. Iranian officials condemned the initial attacks as violations of international norms, vowing a firm defense of sovereignty. The retaliatory barrage involved multiple salvos, underscoring Tehran's capability to project power across the region using its established arsenal of precision-guided munitions.
As the situation unfolds, the Middle East faces heightened risks of further confrontation, with global attention focused on potential impacts to energy markets and international security. Both sides have signaled readiness for additional measures, heightening tensions in an already volatile geopolitical landscape. The full scope of casualties and damage from Tehran's retaliatory strikes remains under assessment amid ongoing developments.