TEHRAN / TEL AVIV — Following the joint US-Israeli “Operation Epic Fury” (US) and “Roar of the Lion” (Israel), the Iranian government has officially moved from a defensive posture to a full-scale counter-offensive. As of Saturday afternoon, February 28, 2026, the Middle East has entered its most volatile state in decades.
New Wave of Missiles Launched
Iranian media outlet Tasnim news agency has confirmed that a “new wave of missiles” has been launched from Iranian soil toward Israel.
- The Counter-Strike: Just moments after the initial strikes in Tehran, Iran hit back. Explosions have been reported in northern Israel as the IDF’s defense systems (Iron Dome and Arrow) scramble to intercept incoming fire.
- Houthi Involvement: Yemen’s Houthis, backed by Tehran, have also joined the fray, launching ballistic missiles toward Israel in a coordinated regional response.
- “Crushing” Warning: An Iranian official told Reuters that the response would be “crushing” for both the United States and Israel, warning that the “outcome of this path is not in their hands.”
ISRAEL LAUNCH ‘PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKE’ ON TEHRAN — RT EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE pic.twitter.com/UOmD66Mk1Q
— RT (@RT_com) February 28, 2026
Battlefield Devastation: Thousands of Casualties Reported
While the conflict is in its early hours, the scale of destruction is historic:
- IRGC Losses: According to ISNA, thousands of IRGC members are feared killed or wounded following the precision strikes on intelligence and military headquarters.
- Cyber & Logistics: Internet connectivity across Iran has plummeted to 54%, and the Tehran Stock Exchange has suspended all trading. Mobile services in eastern and western Tehran remain cut.
- Israel’s State of Emergency: The Home Front Command has ordered a total “prohibition on educational activities and gatherings,” with hospitals in several Israeli cities moving patients to underground facilities.
Khamenei Safe, Pezeshkian in “Full Health”
- Ayatollah Khamenei: Reports confirm the Supreme Leader was moved to a high-security “safe location” before the first bombs fell on University Street.
- President Pezeshkian: Despite rumors that the Presidential Palace was a target, Iranian state media reports that President Masoud Pezeshkian is “safe and in full health.”
Global Fallout: Airspaces Closed
The conflict has effectively paralyzed regional travel:
- Total Lockdown: Airspaces over Iran, Israel, and Iraq are completely closed.
- Flight Disruptions: Major carriers like Air India and IndiGo have turned back mid-flight or canceled all operations to the region, citing “extreme risk.”
With Iran’s counter-attack now underway and the Houthis joining the offensive, the situation is evolving by the minute.
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