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Iran conducted military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, testing a new air defense missile and showcasing a ballistic missile. Concurrently, officials including President Pezeshkian stated Iran is not seeking war but would respond decisively to any aggression. Airstrikes and explosions were reported in central Tehran, with air defense forces engaging targets. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is reported to be in a safe location outside the capital, having designated Ali Larijani to lead affairs, while diplomat Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is preparing for both peaceful and military scenarios. The government expressed willingness to negotiate limits on its uranium enrichment program but stated it will not discuss its missile program or broader defense policies. A military helicopter crash in Isfahan province killed four people, and a fighter jet crash in Hamadan province killed the pilot.
The United States and Iran held a second round of nuclear talks in Oman amid heightened military preparations, including the U.S. moving a second aircraft carrier to the region. President Trump issued a deadline for a new nuclear deal and warned of consequences, while the Pentagon reportedly warned of significant risks from a potential military campaign. Israel launched an attack on Iran, with explosions reported in Tehran; an Israeli official stated the operation was coordinated with the U.S., and Israel declared a nationwide emergency. Iran fired back, and an Iran-backed armed group warned of a 'long war'. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Trump in Washington, with Israeli officials pressing for strikes, while Netanyahu also ordered domestic defenses to maximum alert. Iran's parliament designated the armies of European Union countries as terrorist organizations, a move described as retaliation for the EU listing the IRGC as a terrorist group.
9 topics | 997 sources
The United States and Israel launched a major military attack on Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was coordinated with the U.S. Trump announced the strikes, calling them 'massive' combat operations. Trump and senior Israeli officials said Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the strikes. Netanyahu said there were 'many signs' Khamenei was 'no longer' alive. Iran fired missiles at U.S. bases in the Middle East in retaliation for the attacks. Flights across the region were halted. The status of Khamenei remained unconfirmed by Iranian state media. The attacks occurred amid ongoing diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program. A second U.S. aircraft carrier was ordered to the Middle East.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy held a series of military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, which it called 'Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz' drills. The exercises included testing a new air defense missile and involved the warship Shahid Mahdavi. Iranian media reported the strait was temporarily closed for a few hours during the live-fire drills. Iranian officials, including President Pezeshkian and an envoy to the United Nations named Iravani, stated that Iran is not seeking to initiate a war but is prepared to respond decisively to any aggression. The IRGC navy chief said the strait is under 24-hour surveillance. Separately, the IRGC said it captured nearly a dozen senior members of the PJAK group in western Iran. Iran's intelligence minister warned Western countries they would face consequences for designating the IRGC as a terrorist organization. State media also showcased a new ballistic missile, the Khorramshahr-4, at an IRGC facility.
Trump has given Iran a deadline of 10 to 15 days to reach a new nuclear agreement, warning that 'bad things will happen' if no deal is made. The U.S. has moved a second aircraft carrier toward the Middle East, and reports indicate Trump is considering a limited military strike to pressure Iran into accepting a deal. Iran has denied U.S. claims about its nuclear and missile programs, insisting its nuclear work is peaceful. Tehran has told the United Nations it will respond 'decisively' to any U.S. attack. Satellite images show Iran sealing off its main nuclear site at Natanz, while its top diplomat travels to Geneva for talks. The situation has created a tense standoff, with Trump stating the world will see in the next 10 days whether there is peace or war. Talks between the U.S. and Iran are ongoing in Geneva as the deadline approaches.
Iran has stated it is willing to negotiate a deal to limit its uranium enrichment program. However, Iranian officials have said they will not discuss their missile program or broader defense policies as part of any talks.
An Iranian military helicopter crashed in central Iran, killing four people. The helicopter crashed into a fruit market in Isfahan province. Separately, a fighter jet crashed in Hamadan province, killing the pilot.
38 topics | 7017 sources
Feb 28 — Feb 1
Nuclear talks with Iran and Ukraine peace negotiations occur simultaneously in GenevaThe United States and Iran held a series of high-stakes nuclear talks in Geneva, with no deal announced at their conclusion. U.S. officials brought tough demands, and Trump stated he was 'not happy' with the progress but would give the talks more time, while also warning Iran that 'bad things' would happen if no deal was made. A major U.S. military deployment, including a second aircraft carrier sent to the Middle East, occurred alongside the negotiations. Separately, U.S.-brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were also held in Geneva. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushed for a trilateral summit with the U.S. and Russia, while Russian officials described the discussions as difficult. U.S. Vice President JD Vance was involved in the Iran talks, and Senator Marco Rubio planned a trip to Israel to discuss them.
Feb 28
US and Israel launch strikes on Iran, with Trump and Israeli sources claiming the supreme leader is deadThe United States and Israel launched a major military attack on Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was coordinated with the U.S. Trump announced the strikes, calling them 'massive' combat operations. Trump and senior Israeli officials said Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the strikes. Netanyahu said there were 'many signs' Khamenei was 'no longer' alive. Iran fired missiles at U.S. bases in the Middle East in retaliation for the attacks. Flights across the region were halted. The status of Khamenei remained unconfirmed by Iranian state media. The attacks occurred amid ongoing diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program. A second U.S. aircraft carrier was ordered to the Middle East.
Feb 28 — Feb 7
Netanyahu meets with Trump in Washington to discuss Iran and GazaIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Washington, D.C., for a meeting with President Donald Trump. The main topics were the ongoing U.S. negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program and the situation in Gaza. Netanyahu expressed skepticism about a potential deal with Iran, while Trump said he had insisted diplomacy continue. Trump also commented on Israeli domestic politics, saying President Isaac Herzog should be 'ashamed' for not yet granting Netanyahu a pardon related to the prime minister's ongoing corruption trial. Herzog responded by stating Israel is a sovereign state and no decision had been made. Netanyahu's office denied he had asked Trump to pressure Herzog. Netanyahu also signed Israel onto a U.S.-led initiative called the 'Board of Peace,' which is focused on Gaza reconstruction. He stated that Israel and the U.S. agree Gaza should not be rebuilt before it is disarmed. Hamas officials rejected Netanyahu's calls for disarmament and a regional alliance.
Feb 28 — Feb 27
Israel intensifies strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon as tensions riseThe Israeli military has carried out a series of airstrikes and raids targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and operatives in Lebanon. The strikes, described by some reports as reaching their highest level since a November 2024 ceasefire, hit weapons depots, military sites, and tunnels, and killed several Hezbollah members, including commanders. Hezbollah condemned the strikes but stopped short of pledging a major attack on Israel. A Hezbollah official said 'resistance' was the only choice. The group also rejected a Lebanese government disarmament timeline, calling it pro-Israel. Lebanon's government denounced Israeli actions, including the alleged spraying of a toxic chemical over southern land. Israel warned that Lebanon's airport could become a target and threatened to strike civilian infrastructure if Hezbollah joined a wider conflict. The United Nations peacekeeping force reported an 'unknown chemical substance' was dropped near its operations. Australia urged its citizens to consider leaving Lebanon and Israel.
Feb 28
Iran launches missile and drone strikes on US military bases in Bahrain and other Gulf statesIran launched missile and drone strikes targeting US military bases in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. A suspected Iranian drone hit a high-rise building in Bahrain, and video captured by a US service member showed a missile landing on the US Navy base there, which hosts the US Fifth Fleet. Bahraini authorities activated air raid sirens and advised citizens to seek shelter. The US and UK embassies in Qatar instructed personnel and citizens to shelter in place. US forces in the region had reportedly reduced staff to 'mission critical' levels and loaded missiles onto mobile truck launchers in Qatar ahead of the strikes. The attacks followed American and Israeli strikes on Iran, escalating regional tensions. Reports indicated the US had evacuated hundreds of troops from Qatar and Bahrain prior to the Iranian retaliation.