US-Israel War on Iran 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Everything You Need to Know
From the opening strikes on February 28 to the ongoing humanitarian crisis — a complete, regularly updated guide to the most significant military escalation in the Middle East in decades.
It started before dawn on February 28, 2026 — and the Middle East has not been the same since. In a coordinated surprise attack, the United States and Israel launched a series of strikes against Iran, stating their aim was to induce regime change and target Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme. Sixteen days later, the war is still raging, the death toll is climbing, and the entire world is feeling the economic shockwave.
This is the most significant military escalation in the Middle East in decades. Click here to explore more in-depth coverage and analysis of global conflict developments. For the full picture of how this war is reshaping the region and the world — check this out for continued updates and background reading.
This conflict did not come out of nowhere. The seeds were planted years earlier. After the Middle Eastern crisis began in 2023, Iran and Israel exchanged missile strikes in 2024, and Israel and the US launched airstrikes against Iran's nuclear facilities in what became known as the Twelve-Day War in June 2025.
By early 2026, Iran was already under immense domestic pressure. In January 2026, Iranian security forces killed thousands of protesters during the largest protests since the Islamic Revolution. US President Donald Trump threatened military action against the Iranian regime for the killings, as part of his stated desire to change the regime.
Learn more about the long history of US-Iran tensions to understand why this moment was, for many analysts, a long time coming.
On February 28, 2026, Israel and the United States launched surprise airstrikes on multiple sites and cities across Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and numerous other Iranian officials.
The targeting of Khamenei — the man who had led the Islamic Republic for over three decades — was a seismic moment. Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was appointed following the assassination of his father and quickly issued warnings that attacks on US military assets would continue unless American forces left the region.
Iran did not sit still. Within hours, it launched a wave of retaliatory strikes that spread the conflict across nine countries.
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Feb 28, 2026US & Israel launch opening strikes on IranSupreme Leader Khamenei killed. Iranian military leadership decapitated in opening hours.
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March 2, 2026UNESCO heritage sites damagedA strike near Arg Square damaged the nearby Golestan Palace. UNESCO issued a statement of concern.
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March 5, 2026Azadi Sport Complex bombedAnother cultural and civilian landmark hit amid continuing strikes across Iranian cities.
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March 13, 2026US refuelling aircraft crashes in western IraqAll six crew members killed. US CENTCOM confirmed 13 total fatalities from Iranian attacks across the region.
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March 15, 2026Death toll reaches 1,444 in IranIran's Health Ministry reports at least 1,444 dead and 18,551 injured since operations began.
Find out why a single island has become the most strategically important piece of real estate on the planet right now.
US forces struck military targets on Kharg Island — the critical hub through which approximately 90 percent of Iran's crude exports pass before travelling through the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump said Washington deliberately spared the island's oil infrastructure but warned it could be attacked if Iran interferes with shipping.
The scale of destruction is staggering. US CENTCOM announced that approximately 6,000 targets have been struck in Iran since operations began. More than 90 Iranian vessels, including over 30 mine-laying ships, have been damaged or destroyed.
Israel informed the US this week that it is running critically low on ballistic missile interceptors as the conflict with Iran rages. That is a serious vulnerability — one that Iran's military planners will be watching carefully.
Discover what analysts and world leaders are saying about where this conflict is headed.
Trump said he'll know the war with Iran is over when he feels it “in his bones,” offering differing signals about how long the conflict might continue. He claimed Tehran “wants to make a deal” and called for a naval coalition to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
Iranian President Pezeshkian outlined three conditions to end the war: recognition of Tehran's legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and firm international guarantees against future aggression.
In a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the Iranian counter-strikes and called for a resumption of diplomacy, saying he did “not believe in regime change from the skies.”
This section is updated regularly. Check back throughout the day for the latest developments on ceasefires, strikes, and diplomatic movements. Bookmark this page for real-time updates.
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