Israel–US Attack on Iran: Full Timeline, Casualties, Targeted Sites, and What Happened From February 28 to March 2, 2026

Why Did Israel and the US Attack Iran? Background and Motives

• Long-running tension – Israel and Iran fought a brief war in June 2025, and the United States and Iran held indirect nuclear talks in early 2026. Despite some progress, those talks collapsed when U.S. President Donald Trump insisted that Iran must curb its missile program and support for regional groups. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused the United States of orchestrating protests and rejected Washington’s conditions.
• The Israel–US objective – On February 28, 2026, Israel and the United States launched a coordinated air campaign known as Operation Roaring Lion on the Israeli side and Operation Epic Fury on the U.S. side. The strikes were intended to eliminate Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, destroy much of its navy and air defense network, and topple the Islamic Republic’s leadership. Trump told Iranians that the country “would be yours to take” and said the campaign aimed to remove the regime. Iranian officials argued that the country was in advanced nuclear talks and viewed the attack as unwarranted.

Israel–US Attack on Iran Timeline: What Happened From February 28 to March 2, 2026

February 28, 2026: The Initial Israel–US Strikes on Iran

• Early-morning airstrikes – At about 06:20 GMT, large explosions shook Tehran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Israel had carried out a “pre-emptive” strike on Iran and declared a nationwide state of emergency.
• The joint campaign begins – Shortly afterward, U.S. and Israeli aircraft hit targets across Iran, including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. Trump announced that Washington had launched a large-scale military campaign to destroy Iran’s missile industry, navy, and nuclear capabilities. Israeli sources said the first phase would last four days and would target senior leaders, including Ayatollah Khamenei.
• Targets hit in the opening wave – The first strikes targeted Iranian air-defense systems and command posts. They hit the Tehran Revolutionary Court, destroying the building, and also struck Khamenei’s compound. Airstrikes also hit IRGC internal-security units, including the West Azerbaijan provincial border guard and the Mehran border regiment in Ilam Province. A raid on the Shahr-e-Rey Law Enforcement Command Station in Tehran targeted a unit accused of suppressing protests.
• Khamenei killed – Iranian media initially denied that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed, but by March 1, his death, along with the deaths of several relatives and senior officials, had been confirmed. Former hard-line president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was also reported killed when his residence in Tehran’s Narmak district was bombed.

February 28–29, 2026: Iran’s Immediate Response

• Missile and drone barrage – Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded within hours. By late morning on February 28, Iran had launched missiles and drones at Israel and at U.S. bases across Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• Targeting Gulf states – Iranian strikes damaged airports and military facilities at Ali al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, King Abdulaziz Air Base in Saudi Arabia, the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain’s Juffair district, and the Duqm and Jabal Ali ports in Oman and the UAE. Drones also hit the runway at the UK’s Akrotiri base in Cyprus.
• Attacks on Israel – Iran fired dozens of missiles at Israeli cities. A ballistic missile strike on Beit Shemesh on March 1 killed nine people and injured more than 20. Falling shrapnel in Tel Aviv killed another woman. Israeli reports said more than 20 distinct barrages were launched against Israel on February 28, but Iranian fire then dropped to only four barrages between February 28 and March 1 as U.S.–Israeli strikes degraded missile launchers and command systems.

March 1, 2026: Escalation and Air Superiority Over Tehran

• The air campaign expands – By March 1, the combined U.S.–Israeli force had struck more than 2,000 targets and achieved air superiority over Tehran. Bombs continued to hit Iran’s internal-security forces and air-defense radars in West Azerbaijan, Ilam, and Zanjan provinces. Cyberattacks also defaced Iranian news sites and applications with messages encouraging security forces to disarm.
• Iranian retaliatory attacks continue – Iran continued launching drones and missiles at U.S. and Israeli targets, but in smaller numbers. Gulf states reported intercepting hundreds of Iranian drones and missiles. The UAE said it intercepted 541 drones and 165 ballistic missiles, Kuwait reported 283 drones and 97 missiles, and Bahrain reported 145 drones and 45 missiles.
• Maritime escalation in the Strait of Hormuz – Iran warned shipping to avoid the Strait of Hormuz and targeted oil tankers. UK maritime monitors recorded projectiles exploding near vessels off Sharjah and Muscat, and the IRGC claimed strikes on U.S.- and UK-linked oil tankers. These attacks reduced commercial traffic through the strait by at least 33%, while major shipping companies suspended transit.
• Attacks in Iraqi Kurdistan – Iranian drones and missiles hit the al-Harir Airbase in Erbil and Erbil airport, both of which host U.S. troops. Iraqi air defenses also shot down drones near Nasiriyah Airbase.

March 2, 2026: Continuing Strikes and the First U.S. Fatalities

• U.S. casualties confirmed – U.S. Central Command confirmed that three American soldiers were killed at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait and five were seriously wounded. A fourth U.S. service member later died, bringing the toll to four. President Trump said more casualties were likely but vowed to continue operations until all objectives were achieved.
• Ongoing airstrikes inside Iran – U.S. and Israeli warplanes continued bombing Iranian air-defense sites, missile bases, and naval facilities. Iranian media reported strikes on the Natanz nuclear facility, and U.S. claims also pointed to the destruction of nine Iranian naval vessels.
• International reaction widens – Gulf states condemned Iranian missile attacks but also expressed concern about the scale of the U.S.–Israeli bombardment. The United Kingdom, France, and Germany warned Iran to halt what they described as “indiscriminate and disproportionate” strikes and authorized U.S. use of bases in Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford. China and Russia called for restraint at an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

Casualties in the Israel–US Attack on Iran and Iran’s Regional Retaliation

Casualties and Damage (as of March 2, 2026)

Iran: Reported fatalities are approximately 555 killed, with hundreds injured. The notes state that casualties include about 180 children killed when a strike hit an elementary girls’ school in Minab. The same table also states that key officials killed include Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, members of his family, and former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Israel: Reported fatalities are at least 10 killed, with hundreds injured. The notes say that nine people were killed when an Iranian ballistic missile hit Beit Shemesh, and one woman died from shrapnel near Tel Aviv. It also notes that dozens of buildings in Tel Aviv were damaged.

United States: Reported fatalities are 4 soldiers killed, with at least 4 injured. According to the table, U.S. casualties occurred at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, and it also notes that several warplanes were reportedly lost in accidents.

Lebanon: Reported fatalities are 31 killed, with 149 injured. The notes say that Israeli air raids on Lebanon and retaliatory Hezbollah rocket and drone strikes were reported.

United Arab Emirates: Reported fatalities are 3 killed, with 58 injured. The table says that debris from intercepted missiles hit residential areas, and that casualties included Pakistani, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi nationals.

Kuwait: Reported fatalities are 1 killed, with 32 injured. The notes state that Iranian ballistic missiles targeted Ali al-Salem Air Base and Kuwait International Airport.

Bahrain: Reported fatalities are 1 killed, with 4 injured. According to the table, debris from an intercepted missile hit a foreign vessel at Salman Industrial City.

Oman: Reported fatalities are 1 killed, with 5 injured. The notes say that Iranian drones struck Duqm port and an oil tanker near Musandam.

Qatar: Reported fatalities are 0 killed, with 16 injured. The table states that ballistic missiles and drones targeted Al-Udeid Air Base and an early-warning radar installation, and that Qatar suspended flights and public gatherings.

Jordan: Reported fatalities are 0 killed, with 0 injured. The notes say that Jordan intercepted 49 drones and missiles, while fragments caused property damage.

Saudi Arabia: Reported fatalities are 0 killed, with 0 injured. The table says that Iranian attacks targeted Riyadh and the Eastern Province, but no casualties were reported.

Strait of Hormuz: Reported fatalities are 1 killed, with 4 injured. According to the table, Iranian attacks on shipping killed one person and injured four.

Places Attacked in Iran During the Israel–US Assault

Major Sites and Facilities Targeted in Iran

• Tehran – Airstrikes destroyed parts of the Revolutionary Court, Khamenei’s compound, and police command posts. The Shahr-e-Rey Law Enforcement Command in Tehran was also bombed, and cyberattacks defaced government-linked websites.
• Narmak (Tehran Province) – The residence of former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was struck, and he was reported killed.
• Isfahan – Strikes hit air-defense and missile facilities.
• Qom and Karaj – These locations were targeted for missile and nuclear research-related sites.
• West Azerbaijan Province – Border-guard bases near the Turkey–Iraq border were hit, including the West Azerbaijan Provincial Border Guard.
• Ilam Province – The Mehran Border Regiment on the Iran–Iraq border was struck, reportedly killing 22 security personnel.
• Zanjan Province – There were possible strikes on the IRGC Ansar ol Mehdi Unit, which had been used to suppress protests.
• Minab (Hormozgan Province) – An Israeli strike hit a girls’ elementary school, killing about 180 children.
• Natanz (Isfahan Province) – Iranian media reported that the Natanz nuclear facility was hit during U.S.–Israeli operations.
• Coastal military targets – U.S. and Israeli forces reportedly sank nine Iranian naval vessels and destroyed parts of the Iranian navy.

Places Attacked Outside Iran During Iran’s Retaliation

Sites Hit Outside Iran

• Israel – Iranian missiles struck Beit Shemesh, Tel Aviv, and other locations, killing at least ten people and injuring hundreds.
• Bahrain – Iranian missiles hit the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in the Juffair district and caused damage at the international airport.
• Iraq – The United States and Israel targeted the Jurf al-Sakher base linked to Kataib Hezbollah and the Popular Mobilization Forces, killing two fighters, while Iranian missiles struck Erbil Airbase and Erbil airport.
• Jordan – Jordan intercepted 49 drones and missiles. Fragments caused damage but no casualties.
• Kuwait – Ballistic missiles targeted Ali al-Salem Air Base and Kuwait International Airport, killing one person and injuring 32. Iran also attacked Camp Arifjan and Camp Buehring, resulting in U.S. casualties.
• UAE – Iranian drones and missiles targeted Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi, Jabal Ali Port in Dubai, the Al Dhafra Air Base used by U.S. forces, and Dubai International Airport.
• Qatar – Al-Udeid Air Base and an early-warning radar installation were hit. Qatar intercepted most incoming missiles, but 16 people were injured.
• Oman – Drones targeted Duqm port and an oil tanker near Musandam, killing one and injuring four.
• Saudi Arabia – Iranian missiles targeted Riyadh and the Eastern Province, which contains major oil infrastructure, but no casualties were reported.
• Lebanon – Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon killed 31 people and injured 149. Hezbollah later retaliated with rockets and drones against northern Israel.
• Cyprus – An Iranian drone hit a runway at the UK Akrotiri base, damaging the runway but causing no reported injuries.
• Persian Gulf / Strait of Hormuz – Iran claimed attacks on oil tankers and warned vessels not to transit the strait, contributing to a sharp decline in commercial shipping.

What Is Happening Now? Current Status of the Israel–Iran–US Conflict

Current Status and Outlook

• Military balance – The U.S.–Israeli campaign has severely degraded Iran’s air-defense network, missile launchers, and command infrastructure, and it has achieved air superiority over major cities. Iranian retaliation continues, but at reduced intensity, with the IRGC relying heavily on drones for attacks on Gulf states.
• Leadership and governance inside Iran – With the death of Ayatollah Khamenei and much of the senior leadership, an interim Leadership Council led by cleric Alireza Arafi has been formed to choose a new supreme leader. Reports suggest Iran’s chain of command has been disrupted, creating coordination problems in its military response.
• Humanitarian impact – Civilian casualties are high on both sides, especially in Iran, due to the Minab school airstrike and attacks on internal-security sites. Hundreds of thousands of people have reportedly been displaced from targeted areas, though precise figures remain unclear. Gulf countries have grounded flights and closed stock exchanges, while gas prices have surged as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slows.
• International reaction – Many countries have condemned both the initial U.S.–Israeli attack, which some describe as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty, and Iran’s retaliatory strikes on civilian targets. European governments have signaled readiness to help degrade Iran’s missile capability, while China and Russia continue calling for a ceasefire. The risk of miscalculation remains high, and analysts warn that the conflict could still expand into a wider regional war.

Full Summary of the Israel–US Attack on Iran

The joint U.S.–Israeli offensive launched on February 28, 2026, marks the most significant confrontation between Iran and its long-time adversaries in this phase of the crisis. The stated goals of the campaign — destroying Iran’s strategic military capabilities and changing its leadership — led to unprecedented strikes on Iranian military, nuclear, and internal-security facilities.

Iran responded rapidly with missiles and drones targeting Israel, U.S. bases, Gulf infrastructure, airports, and shipping routes. However, its retaliation appears to have been weakened by the rapid destruction of missile launchers, air defenses, and command networks.

As of March 2, 2026, more than 555 Iranians, 10 Israelis, and 4 U.S. soldiers were confirmed dead, while the war had already drawn multiple Middle Eastern states into the line of fire. With Iran’s supreme leader killed and an interim leadership structure in place, the direction of the conflict remains uncertain. The biggest immediate risk is further escalation across the Gulf, continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, and a broader regional war involving more state and non-state actors.