Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
(New York, NY) – The United States military has launched an offensive against Iran, as President Trump announced overnight. It was an attack done in coordination with Israel. The president says this was done preemptively in an attempt to neutralize Iran’s nuclear program. It also follows last year’s Operation Midnight, in which the US military dropped bunker-buster bombs over enrichment sites — at Trump’s direction.
77 WABC news analyst Jake Novak says the most surprising aspect of the attack was that it occurred during daylight hours in Iran. Most typically, attacks of this kind happen at night. As word of the attack spread, videos were shared to social media of students celebrating in Tehran — the capital of Iran. News 12 in Israel reports the decision to strike during daylight hours had been planned for at least four days.
Codenamed Operation Epic Fury by the American military, it follows weeks of heightened tension between the US and Iran. President Trump has been adamant that the Middle Eastern country cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. Both sides have had mediators in Geneva, Switzerland recently for talks aimed at reaching a deal. But no deal came, and President Trump had seen enough, launching this latest attack. On the Israeli side, the operation was referred to as Roaring Lion and Operation Shield of Judah. They involved airstrikes, missile launches, and possibly cyber operations. These all targeted Iranian military sites, nuclear facilities, and infrastructure across the country, including Tehran — according to reporting from the New York Times.
Al Jazeera says explosions were reported in downtown Tehran and other regions, with smoke rising from multiple sites. This marks a significant escalation in tensions, building on prior conflicts such as Israel’s June 2025 strikes during the 12-day war.
The Associated Press reports tha US embassies or consulates have begun telling staffers to take precautions at spots worldwide. Shelter in place orders are now up for individuals in Israel, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Bahrain staffers were also issued similar orders before attacks then began on US bases there. Thankfully, most of these bases were evacuated earlier in the month. But explosions have been reported near the Bahrain capital city of Manama.
