US & Israel Launch “Operation Epic Fury” on Iran — Khamenei Confirmed Dead
In the early hours of Saturday, 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched a sweeping joint military campaign on Iran — codenamed Operation Epic Fury by the Pentagon and Roaring Lion by Israel. By nightfall, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was dead, Dubai’s airport was shut, and the Middle East was in crisis.
Situation ongoing as of 1 March 2026. Strikes continuing. Iran retaliating. Multiple airports closed. UN Security Council in emergency session. This article is being updated.
| Date | Saturday, 28 February 2026 |
| US Operation Name | Operation Epic Fury (Pentagon) |
| Israeli Operation Name | Roaring Lion (IDF) |
| Targets in Iran | Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah |
| Primary Objectives | Nuclear sites, missile infrastructure, IRGC leadership |
| Supreme Leader Status | ✅ Ayatollah Khamenei confirmed killed |
| Iranian Retaliation | Ballistic missiles & drones at Israel, Jordan, Syria, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia & UAE |
| Gulf Airports Closed | Dubai, Zayed Intl (UAE), Kuwait Intl & others |
| Airspace Closures | 8+ countries; ~24% of Middle East flights cancelled |
| UN Response | Emergency Security Council session called by Oman |
| Background Talks | Iran had agreed nuclear limits in Oman just 1 day prior |
What Happened: The Opening Strikes
Explosions were first reported in downtown Tehran at around 6:27 AM GMT on Saturday morning. Iranian social media lit up with footage of smoke rising over the capital’s skyline. Within minutes, blasts were being confirmed in Qom — the Islamic Republic’s religious heartland — and at military installations near Isfahan, Karaj, and Kermanshah.
The Pentagon named the campaign “Operation Epic Fury”. US President Trump announced it via Truth Social in the early hours, stating the Iranian regime’s activities endanger the United States. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz simultaneously confirmed Israel’s component — named “Roaring Lion” — had begun. The scale and coordination made immediately clear that months of detailed planning had gone into the operation.
Timeline: Hour by Hour on 28 February 2026
-
~6:27 AM GMT — TehranFirst explosions reported near University Street and the Jomhouri district. Smoke visible across the capital. Iranian state TV switches to emergency broadcast.
-
~7:00 AM GMT — Official ConfirmationIsraeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirms Operation Roaring Lion is underway. Pentagon confirms Operation Epic Fury. Strikes also reported in Qom, Isfahan, Karaj, and Kermanshah.
-
~7:30 AM GMT — Leadership TargetExplosions near Khamenei’s compound in Tehran’s Pasteur district. Israeli and US sources confirm the Supreme Leader was directly targeted.
-
~8:00 AM GMT — Iran RetaliatesIran launches dozens of ballistic missiles and drones at US bases across the Gulf — Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, Bahrain’s 5th Fleet HQ, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE all struck or threatened. Israel issues nationwide shelter-in-place order.
-
~9:30 AM GMT — Trump Confirms DeathTrump posts on Truth Social confirming Khamenei’s death and states bombing will continue “uninterrupted throughout the week or as long as necessary.” He confirms the IRGC are seeking immunity.
-
Afternoon — Gulf Airports CloseDubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport (UAE) close indefinitely. Kuwait International Airport struck. 8+ countries close airspace. Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France suspend all regional routes.
-
Evening — UN Emergency SessionUN Security Council convenes at Oman’s request. Guterres warns of “uncontrolled escalation.” Russia requests special IAEA inspection over potential nuclear site damage.
Why Did the US and Israel Attack Iran?
Trump declared the objective was to destroy Iran’s missile and military capabilities, prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, and topple the regime. He stated: “I do not make this statement lightly; the Iranian regime seeks to kill. We’re doing this not for now. We’re doing it for the future, and it is a noble mission.”
Yet the timing was extraordinary. Just one day before the strikes, on 27 February, Oman’s Foreign Minister announced a diplomatic “breakthrough” — Iran had agreed to never stockpile enriched uranium and to full IAEA verification. The strikes proceeded anyway, just hours after this milestone, prompting widespread accusations that Washington acted in bad faith.
Netanyahu framed the strikes as an existential necessity, pointing to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and its support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis as leaving no alternative.
“Short time ago, US military began major combat operation in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”
— President Donald Trump · Truth Social · 28 February 2026Khamenei’s Death: The End of an Era
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 85, had led Iran as Supreme Leader since 1989, holding more authority than even the elected President — commanding the armed forces and defining the Islamic Republic’s direction for over three decades. His death in a direct airstrike on his Tehran compound is a seismic moment in Middle Eastern history.
Iranian state media confirmed the killing hours after Trump’s Truth Social post. Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law, and grandson were also reported killed. Iran declared 40 days of national mourning and vowed a “crushing revenge.”
“All American and Israeli assets and interests in the Middle East have become a legitimate target.”
— Senior Iranian Official · Al Jazeera · 28 February 2026
Iran Strikes Back: The Retaliation
Iran responded swiftly and broadly. Ballistic missiles and drones targeted US military bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The Houthis simultaneously announced they would resume attacks on Red Sea shipping.
Zayed International Airport (UAE) and Kuwait International Airport were struck. Dubai International Airport — the world’s busiest — was closed indefinitely. Debris from intercepted Iranian missiles caused casualties in Abu Dhabi. Queues formed at petrol stations across Tehran as residents braced for prolonged conflict.
How the World Is Reacting
Key People in This Crisis
What Happens Next?
With Khamenei dead and Iran’s military severely degraded, the Islamic Republic faces its gravest crisis since 1979. Who leads Iran now is unresolved and potentially explosive. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has a far weaker constitutional position, and the IRGC’s future role is deeply uncertain.
Trump has stated bombing will continue “uninterrupted throughout the week or as long as necessary.” Israel has signalled readiness for “several days of strikes.” For the UK and global economy, oil prices surged immediately — analysts warn a prolonged conflict could drive energy prices to levels not seen since the 1970s oil crisis.
Who was Khamenei?Supreme Leader since 1989, holding ultimate authority over Iran’s military and foreign policy — above even the elected President.
The Oman TalksJust one day before strikes, Iran agreed in Oman-mediated talks to never stockpile enriched uranium — a breakthrough immediately overtaken by war.
Why Dubai?Iran targeted US military host nations. UAE hosts key US assets and is a central American ally, making it a retaliation target.
The HouthisYemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement announced they would resume Red Sea shipping attacks, deepening the regional crisis.
Donald TrumpUS President — announced and ordered Operation Epic Fury via Truth Social at 2:30 AM ET
Benjamin NetanyahuIsraeli PM — co-launched the Israeli component “Roaring Lion”
Ali KhameneiIran’s Supreme Leader since 1989 — killed in strikes on 28 Feb 2026
Pete HegsethUS Secretary of Defense — present in Situation Room throughout
António GuterresUN SG — warned of “uncontrolled escalation” at emergency session
