The U.S.-Israel attack on Iran began Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, after Israel said it launched what it described as a pre-emptive strike and President Donald Trump announced the start of “major combat operations” alongside Israel. Early statements from both governments framed the action around Iran’s missile capabilities and the long-running nuclear dispute.
Israel’s military said it struck Iranian missile launchers in western Iran and published video it described as footage of the strikes. The Israel Defense Forces said the action was part of an operation it called Operation Roaring Lion, and it said Israel’s air defenses were working to identify and intercept threats fired from Iran toward Israel.
What the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran targeted
In its initial public account, the IDF said it struck “hundreds of Iranian military targets,” including missile launchers in western Iran. The IDF also said its aerial defense forces were simultaneously tracking and intercepting incoming threats. The IDF statement described the strikes as guided by military intelligence and aimed at Iranian military assets tied to missile operations.
Separately, Trump said the United States had begun “major combat operations in Iran.” In a statement reported by Reuters and The Associated Press, Trump described the campaign as targeting Iranian military capabilities, while warning the situation could carry risks for U.S. forces.
Israel said its strike was meant to remove threats to Israel. Iran rejected that framing and condemned the attacks, and Iranian officials said the country would retaliate. Early reports from multiple outlets said Iran launched missiles and drones toward Israel and toward U.S. facilities in the region, though the full scope of damage and casualties was not immediately clear in publicly confirmed information.
Operation Roaring Lion and Israel’s air defense posture
Israel’s military statement paired two messages: offensive strikes and defensive readiness. The IDF said the airstrike footage showed attacks on missile launchers in western Iran, and it said the Aerial Defense Array was actively intercepting threats fired from Iran toward Israel.
Israeli officials also announced emergency measures at home, including restrictions tied to potential retaliation. In reporting carried by Reuters and the AP, Israel’s defense establishment described nationwide preparedness steps as part of a posture anticipating missile and drone launches.
The IDF has not publicly provided a full target list for the first wave of strikes. What has been emphasized so far is missile infrastructure, launchers, and the kind of systems that could be used to fire at Israel. The public video release appears designed to show at least one category of target Israel says it hit, mobile or staged missile-launch assets in western Iran.
