The situation has escalated rapidly today, Saturday, February 28, 2026. The United States and Israel have launched a massive military campaign against Iran. This campaign is coordinated and codenamed Operation Epic Fury by the U.S. Department of Defense. It is called Operation Roaring Lion by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
According to official statements from the Trump administration and Israeli leadership, the primary reasons for this military intervention include:
1. The Nuclear Threshold
The U.S. and Israel have cited “imminent threats” from Iran’s nuclear program. Recent high-stakes negotiations in Geneva ended just yesterday. Despite this, President Trump stated he was “not happy” with the progress. He claimed Iran refused to dismantle key facilities or ship out enriched uranium. The administration asserts that military action is the only way to permanently prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
2. Disarming Ballistic Missile Capabilities
A major objective of the strikes is the “total destruction” of Iran’s ballistic missile and drone infrastructure. U.S. officials have stated that Iran’s refusal to include its missile program in diplomatic talks was a “non-starter.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the issue. They view these weapons as a direct threat to American bases in the region and to the state of Israel.
3. Support for “Regime Change”
In a significant shift from previous decades of U.S. policy, President Trump has openly called on the Iranian people. He urged them to “seize control of your destiny” and topple the Islamic Republic. This follows months of internal unrest and protests within Iran. The strikes have specifically targeted leadership compounds, including reports of damage to the compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
4. Regional Security and “Pre-emptive” Defense
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the operation as a “pre-emptive attack” to remove an existential threat. Both nations argue that degrading Iran’s military power is necessary to stop the “export of terror” through its regional proxies.
Current Status of the Conflict
- Target Areas: Strikes have been reported in Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah.
- Iranian Retaliation: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has responded by firing waves of missiles and drones at Israel and U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, and Qatar.
- Military Build-up: The U.S. has deployed two aircraft carrier strike groups, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, to sustain what officials describe as a “weeks-long” operation.
The situation is highly fluid and marks the most significant military escalation in the Middle East in decades.