Israeli strikes target Khamenei, Pezeshkian as Netanyahu says Israel, US intend to ‘remove existential threat’ posed by Iran

IDF says it completed wave of strikes targeting strategic Iranian air defenses

This illustration, published by the IDF on February 28, 2026, shows the location of an advanced Iranian air defense system that was targeted in the Kermanshah area. (Israel Defense Forces)

The IDF says it has completed an extensive wave of airstrikes targeting “strategic” Iranian air defense systems.

One of the targets was an “advanced SA-65 air defense system” deployed in the Kermanshah area, according to the military.

“The IDF continues at this time to strike infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in order to cause a blow to the regime and thwart threats to the Israeli home front,” the military adds.

More explosions heard in Abu Dhabi, Manama, Doha

Smoke rises from an area in the direction of Al Udeid Air Base, which houses the Qatar Emiri Air Force and foreign forces including the US, in Doha on February 28, 2026, following a reported Iranian strike. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)

Residents and AFP correspondents in the Emirati, Qatari and Bahraini capitals hear more explosions, as Iran launches waves of retaliatory strikes in the Gulf following US and Israeli attacks.

An AFP correspondent in Manama heard at least two blasts, with journalists in Qatar reporting a new wave of explosions. Residents in Abu Dhabi also heard explosions.

Two witnesses tell AFP they saw smoke rising from Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra base, which hosts US troops.

Two flydubai flights from Ben Gurion said to have landed safely earlier today in Saudi Arabia

Two flydubai flights that took off from Ben Gurion Airport earlier today landed in Saudi Arabia, Channel 12 reports. The two planes landed safely, it adds. At least one of the two planes is still on the ground there, it says.

The Israel Airports Authority declines to comment. flydubai has yet to respond to a request for comment.

IRGC chief, defense minister killed in opening strikes sources say

Then-commander of the ground forces of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour, attends a military parade as part of a ceremony marking the country's annual army day in Tehran, Iran, on April 17, 2024. (ATTA KENARE / AFP)

The commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Gen. Mohammad Pakpour and Iranian defense minister Amir Nasirzadeh were killed in Israeli strikes in Iran this morning, three sources familiar with the matter tell Reuters.

Earlier, Israeli officials assessed that Pakpour, Nasirzadeh, and the chief of Iran’s intelligence were likely killed in the strikes.

Several top Iranian regime and military commanders were targeted in this morning’s strikes, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. The results of the strikes remain unclear.

Iranian FM slams ‘illegal’ strikes, says Trump acting in Israel’s interests

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks during the 17th edition of the Al-Jazeera Forum in Doha on February 7, 2026. (Karim Jaafar/AFP)

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the US and Israeli strikes on his country are “unprovoked, illegal and illegitimate,” castigating US President Donald Trump for becoming “Israel first.”

In his first public comments following the joint US-Israeli military strikes that struck targets across Iran, Araghchi says on X: “[Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and Trump’s war on Iran is wholly unprovoked, illegal and illegitimate.”

“Trump has turned ‘America First’ into ‘Israel First, ‘which always means ‘America Last’,” he says, sharing a social media post Trump made in 2012, in which he slammed then-president Barack Obama for looking to launch a military operation on Libya or Iran due to bad polling numbers.

“Our Powerful Armed Forces are prepared for this day and will teach the aggressors the lesson they deserve,” Iran’s top diplomat adds.

In a second post, Araghchi blasted the US and Israel for a reported strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran, which killed at least 40 people, including students, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.

Posting a photo he says shows the aftermath of the strike, Araghchi says: “The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils.”

“Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone,” he adds. “These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered.”

Neither Israel nor the US issued a comment on the reported strike, and no further information is currently available.

Sirens sound in central Israel, IDF working to intercept missiles

Sirens sound in Tel Aviv and across central Israel amid Iran’s latest ballistic missile attack.

The IDF says it is working to shoot down the missiles.

Israeli TV report, citing unnamed Israeli sources: Growing indications that Khamenei killed

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran on February 1, 2026, ahead of the 47th anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. (KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)

Israel “assesses” that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was likely killed in an Israeli strike earlier today, Channel 12 says, citing unnamed Israeli sources. It says there are “growing indications” to this effect.

There is no official confirmation of the report.

The TV station had minutes earlier said the Israeli assessment was that Khamenei was “hurt at the very least, ” and that this was not an assessment based on satellite imagery showing Khamenei’s presidential compound being flattened, but rather on information from unnamed sources.

Khamenei is reportedly expected to deliver an address shortly. The TV report suggests that, if so, it was recorded in advance.

Channel 12 also reports that the strikes today have caused “very significant harm” to the leadership of the Iranian regime and its military commanders.

Israel’s Kan state TV says “there is no contact” with Khamenei and his condition is not known.

IDF detects new launches from Iran, sirens expected in center

A new launch of ballistic missiles from Iran has been detected by the IDF.

Sirens are expected to sound in central Israel shortly.

Ahead of strikes, IDF chief told pilots they are ‘making history’

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir (center), is seen alongside IAF chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar (left) and Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai (right), at the IAF's underground command center at the IDF HQ in Tel Aviv, February 28, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)

Ahead of the joint Israeli and US strikes on Iran, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told Israeli Air Force pilots this morning that they are “making history.”

“Saturday dawn, Operation Roaring Lion begins — you are authorized to carry out (the mission), strike your targets — you are making history. I trust you. Good luck to us all,” Zamir writes in a note that was delivered to the pilots ahead of the strikes.

Zamir oversaw the strikes from the IAF’s underground command center with IAF chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar and other top commanders.

Saudi, UAE leaders condemn ‘dangerous’ Iran escalation in first call since rift

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed discuss Iran’s retaliatory strikes on the Gulf and express solidarity and sympathy in their first call since a public row in late December.

The Saudi de facto ruler calls the Emirati president, and “they discussed regional developments and the blatant Iranian attacks targeting the UAE and several other brotherly nations,” the UAE’s official WAM agency said.

They condemn a “dangerous escalation that threatens the region’s security and undermines its stability.”

The crown prince expresses Saudi Arabia’s “full solidarity with the UAE, offering all its resources to support any measures the UAE takes,” while the Emirati leader “expressed his gratitude and appreciation.”