The US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, targeting its leadership and military capabilities, in an operation dubbed ‘Operation Lion’s Roar’. The strikes, confirmed by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aimed to eliminate Iran’s nuclear and missile threats. Explosions were reported in Tehran, Isfahan, and other cities, with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly moved to a secure location.Two sources familiar with Israel’s military operations and one regional source said Iran’s Defence Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammed Pakpour are believed to have been killed in Israeli attacks.In response, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks on Israel and US bases in the region, including the US Al Udeid air base in Qatar and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. The attacks led to the closure of airspaces in Israel, Iraq, and several Gulf countries, and the suspension of flights by airlines like Air India and Lufthansa.The international community reacted with concern, with Russia condemning the attacks as “dangerous” and the EU calling for “maximum restraint”. The US and Israel claimed the strikes were necessary to prevent Iran’s nuclear ambitions, while Iran vowed to defend itself.Saudi confirms Iran attacked Riyadh, Foreign Ministry saysFebruary 28, 2026 9:41 pmSaudi Arabia confirmed on Saturday that Iran attacked Riyadh and the eastern region, according to a statement by the Foreign Ministry. The ministry said the attacks in its territory were dealt with, without providing further details. ReutersIndian missions in Middle-East in touch with Indians and have issued appropriate advisories asking them to remain vigilant: MEAFebruary 28, 2026 8:03 pmAir defence fire seen over Dubai, the commercial hub of the United Arab EmiratesFebruary 28, 2026 7:39 pmICC working on alternate flight plans for players and officials returning from T20 World CupFebruary 28, 2026 6:34 pmThe International Cricket Council (ICC) is working on alternate flight plans for players and officials returning from the T20 World Cup after US strikes on Iran. “ICC is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East and has activated comprehensive contingency plans to safeguard the travel, logistics and well-being of all stakeholders associated with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, currently underway in India and Sri Lanka,” the ICC said in a statement on Saturday. PTIPakistan’s Foreign Minister Dar condemns ‘unwarranted attacks’ on IranFebruary 28, 2026 6:34 pmPakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday condemned the “unwarranted attacks” on Iran by Israel and the US, demanding an immediate cessation of the conflict. Dar said this while talking over the phone to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi who called the Pakistani leader after his country was attacked. According to a statement by the Foreign Office, Dar and Araghchi reviewed the evolving situation in Iran and the wider region. PTISome oil majors, traders suspend shipments via Hormuz amid US attack on Iran, sources sayFebruary 28, 2026 6:16 pmSome oil majors and top trading houses have suspended crude oil and fuel shipments via the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation, four trading sources said on Saturday. “Our ships will stay put for several days,” one top executive at a major trading desk said. ReutersRussian Foreign Ministry condemns US-Israel strikes on Iran as ‘unprovoked act of armed aggression’February 28, 2026 6:14 pmRussia’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned the US-Israeli strikes on Iran as “a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state”, demanding an immediate halt to the military campaign and a return to diplomacy. (AP)Death toll in US-Israeli strike on girls’ school in southern Iran rises to 40 killedFebruary 28, 2026 5:36 pmDeath toll in US-Israeli strike on girls’ school in southern Iran rises to 40 killed, reports AP citing state-run IRNA news agency. PTIAttack on Iran disrupts flights across Middle East and beyondFebruary 28, 2026 5:10 pmThe US and Israel’s attack on Iran disrupted flights across the region and beyond. The United Arab Emirates, home to both the long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad, and Israel closed their airspace on Saturday. Qatar Airways Group said it has temporarily cancelled flights to and from Doha because Qatari airspace also was closed.Planes that were en route to Israel were rerouted to other airports, and passengers who were at Ben Gurion International Airport awaiting flights were shuttled back. AP24 killed in Israeli strike on school in Iran’s MinabFebruary 28, 2026 4:57 pmAt least 24 killed in Israeli strike on school in Iran’s southern county of Minab, says Governor to Tasnim. ReutersIran must never be allowed to build nukes, don’t want conflict escalation: UKFebruary 28, 2026 4:45 pmThe British government on Saturday said it did not participate in the joint strikes launched by the US and Israel on Iran, calling for a negotiated solution to prevent further escalation of the conflict into the wider region. Downing Street said Prime Minister Keir Starmer will chair an emergency ministerial Cabinet Office Briefing Room A (COBRA) meeting to discuss bolstering the UK’s defensive capabilities in the region. A government spokesperson said the immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region, who will be provided consular assistance 24/7. “Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution,” the spokesperson said.Qatar temporarily suspends maritime navigationFebruary 28, 2026 4:37 pmQatar temporarily suspends maritime navigation, according to a statement. Reuters5 students killed in southern IranFebruary 28, 2026 4:24 pmIran on Saturday said Israeli-US airstrikes in southern Iran killed five students at a girls’ school, the first confirmed fatalities in the operation. The state-run IRNA news agency reported the strike happened in Minab in Iran’s Hormozgan province. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has a base in the city. Neither the US nor Israel has offered any details on the campaign so far.All Israel and US bases in the region struck, says IranFebruary 28, 2026 4:21 pm“All Israel and US Bases in the region have been struck by the powerful blows of Iranian missiles”, says Iran’s IRGC. ReutersUS Mission in UAE instruct staff to ‘take cover’ in wake of regional security situationFebruary 28, 2026 4:14 pmThe US Mission in the UAE instructed its staff in the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US Consulate in Dubai to take shelter-in-place in the wake of the developing security situation in West Asia. ANIUnited Arab Emirates says 1 person killed from falling shrapnel after Iranian missile attackFebruary 28, 2026 4:06 pmShrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the capital of the United Arab Emirates killed one person Saturday, state media said. The state-run WAM news agency reported the fatality. APSaudi Arabia condemns Iran’s retaliatory strikesFebruary 28, 2026 4:01 pmSaudi Foreign Ministry condemns Iranian attacks on UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan, as per a statement. ReutersIndiGo suspends Middle East flightsFebruary 28, 2026 4:01 pmIndiGo temporarily suspends flights to and from Middle East due to Iran situation. PTIAir India cancels all Middle East flightsFebruary 28, 2026 4:01 pm“In view of developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in Middle East have been suspended,” said Air India in a statement. Reuters1 killed in Abu DhabiFebruary 28, 2026 3:45 pmOne person killed in Abu Dhabi after UAE intercepts Iranian missiles, says state news agency. ReutersLoud bang heard in DubaiFebruary 28, 2026 3:45 pmA loud bang was heard in Dubai’s Marina neighbourhood, as per witnesses. ReutersIndian Embassy in Iran advises nationals to ‘stay indoors’February 28, 2026 3:20 pmThe Indian Embassy in Iran on Saturday issued an advisory for its citizens, urging them to exercise “utmost caution” and “remain indoors as far as possible” amid the ongoing regional tensions. “In view of the developing situation, all Indian nationals in Iran are advised to exercise utmost caution, avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors as far as possible,” the embassy said in a post on X. APAttacks launched in Qatar’s capital DohaFebruary 28, 2026 3:15 pmBlasts were heard in Qatari capital Doha. The Qatar Defence Ministry claimed it had downed all missiles targeting the country. ReutersKuwait closes airspaceFebruary 28, 2026 3:10 pmKuwait temporarily closed its airspace due to the regional security situation, said a statement. ReutersStrikes in Iraq kill 1, injure 3February 28, 2026 3:10 pmAir strikes on Iraqi Hashid Shaabi PMF headquarters south of Baghdad killed one and wounded three, said a Hashid spokesman. ReutersIran’s Foreign Ministry says time has come to defend the homelandFebruary 28, 2026 3:04 pmIran’s Foreign Ministry responded to a joint US-Israel attack on Saturday by saying that the country “will not hesitate” in its response to the strikes. In a statement posted on X, the ministry said: “The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemy’s military assault.”Sirens sounded in KuwaitFebruary 28, 2026 3:00 pmSirens were sounded in Kuwait, according to a Reuters witnesses.Explosions heard in Abu DhabiFebruary 28, 2026 3:00 pmA loud bang was heard in Abu Dhabi as per witnesses. ReutersIsraeli military issues statementFebruary 28, 2026 2:51 pmIsraeli military says forces are deployed, ready for offensive operations ‘across all sectors and against any enemy’. They added, “At this hour, the Israeli air force continues to strike targets across Iran, operations will continue as required.” ReutersBahrain says missile attack targeted US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in island kingdomFebruary 28, 2026 2:47 pmBahrain on Saturday said that a missile attack targeted the US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom. It offered no other immediate information about the attack. APUAE closes airspaceFebruary 28, 2026 2:42 pmThe UAE has partially and temporarily closed its airspace as a precaution, said a state news agency. ReutersYemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels to resume attacks on shipping in Red Sea corridor: OfficialFebruary 28, 2026 2:31 pmThe Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen have decided to resume missile and drone attacks on shipping routes and on Israel in support of Iran. This is according to two senior Houthi officials, who spoke in condition of anonymity because there is no official announcement from the Houthi leadership. One of the officials said the rebels’ first attack could come as soon as “tonight.” The rebels ceased their attacks on the Red Sea shipping route as part of a deal with the Trump administration that also halted US strikes against the Houthis. They also stopped their attacks against Israel after an October ceasefire that halted major fighting in Gaza. APAnother attack launched at IsraelFebruary 28, 2026 2:19 pmAnother barrage has been launched towards Israel, says the Israeli military. ReutersExplosions heard in Iran’s Dezful and Kharg IslandFebruary 28, 2026 2:15 pmExplosions were heard in Iran’s Dezful and Kharg Island, news agency Fars reports. ReutersPentagon adopts ‘Operation Epic Fury’ name for Iran attackFebruary 28, 2026 2:12 pmThe Pentagon on Saturday dubbed the US combat operations over Iran as “Operation Epic Fury.” The formal title, announced via a social media post, formalises the combat operations over Iran as a major US military operation. The Trump administration similarly formalised last year’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites as “Operation Midnight Hammer” and his strike to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this year as “Operation Absolute Resolve.”Lebanon’s prime minister warns against dragging country into ‘adventures’February 28, 2026 2:08 pmLebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Saturday said he would not accept anyone dragging “the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity”, in an indirect message to the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. “In light of the serious developments unfolding in the region, I once again call on all Lebanese to act with wisdom and patriotism, placing Lebanon and the Lebanese people’s interests above any other consideration,” Salam said in a statement sent to Reuters. “I reiterate that we will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity.”Explosions rock northern Israel as country works to intercept incoming Iranian missilesFebruary 28, 2026 2:03 pmExplosions rocked northern Israel on Saturday as the country worked to intercept incoming Iranian missiles after launching a nationwide attack with the US on Iran. The blasts echoed just after the Israeli military said it would be using its air defence systems to bring down the Iranian fire. There was no immediate word on any damage or casualties from the ongoing attack. APIran attack should allow Iranians to take destiny into their own hands, Netanyahu saysFebruary 28, 2026 2:00 pmIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran launched on Saturday “will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.” “The time has come for all sections of the people in Iran … to remove the yoke of tyranny from (the regime) and bring a free and peace-loving Iran,” Netanyahu said in a statement. ReutersIran’s port city Bushehr attackedFebruary 28, 2026 2:00 pmIran’s port city of Bushehr has been attacked, state media reported. It was unclear whether the Bushehr nuclear power plant was damaged. ReutersIndian airlines take precautionsFebruary 28, 2026 1:43 pm“We are closely monitoring regional updates concerning Iran and its airspace,” said Indigo, as per Reuters. Meanwhile, an Air India flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv was diverted to Mumbai due to Israel airspace closure, reports PTI.US expected to carry out multi-day operation against IranFebruary 28, 2026 1:36 pmThe US military is expected to carry out a multi-day operation against Iran, US official tells Reuters.Trump posts video on social mediaFebruary 28, 2026 1:24 pmhttps://t.co/BZuJDudLej”>pic.twitter.com/BZuJDudLej— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2026Trump says US carrying out ‘major combat operations’ in IranFebruary 28, 2026 1:21 pmUS President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States had begun “major combat operations” in Iran, warning that there may be US casualties. The strikes, which Trump said were aimed at destroying Iranian missiles and annihilating its navy, follow repeated US-Israeli warnings that they would strike Iran again if it pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. “I do not make this statement lightly. The Iranian regime seeks to kill,” Trump said in a video shared on Truth Social. “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties that often happens in war, but we’re doing this, not for now. We’re doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission.” Trump told the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Iran’s armed forces, to lay down their weapons, promising that they would be granted immunity. The other option, according to Trump, is “certain death.” Washington and Tehran held a series of talks in recent weeks about Iran’s nuclear ambition. The most recent one was held on Thursday with no deal. “Iran refused, just as it has for decades and decades. They rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore,” Trump said.Iran’s supreme leader not in Tehran, transferred to secure location, official saysFebruary 28, 2026 1:07 pmIran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not in Tehran and has been transferred to a secure location, an official told Reuters on Saturday.New Delhi issues advisory for Indians in IranFebruary 28, 2026 1:03 pm”Exercise utmost caution, remain vigilant,” says New Delhi in an advisory for Indians in Israel amid tensions with Iran.Iran’s entire airspace closedFebruary 28, 2026 12:57 pmThe spokesperson for the Iran Civil Aviation Organization announced that, based on the issued NOTAM, the entire airspace of the country of Iran has been closed until further notice.Tehran preparing for retaliation, Iranian official saysFebruary 28, 2026 12:57 pmTehran is preparing for retaliation after Israel launched an attack against Iran on Saturday, with the response set to be crushing, an Iranian official says. ReutersIraq closes airspace, state news agency reportsFebruary 28, 2026 12:54 pmThe Iraq transport ministry said on Saturday it closed national airspace after Israel launched what its defence minister said was a pre-emptive attack against Iran, the state news agency said. ReutersIsrael closes its airspace after launching attack on IranFebruary 28, 2026 12:39 pmIsrael has closed its airspace following its attack on Iran. APUnited States is participating in Israeli strikes against IranFebruary 28, 2026 12:39 pmThe United States is participating in the Israeli strikes against Iran, according to a US official and a person familiar with the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive military operations. APUnited States is participating in Israeli strikes against IranFebruary 28, 2026 12:35 pmThe United States is participating in the Israeli strikes against Iran, according to a US official and a person familiar with the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive military operations. AP