Iran-Israel Conflict: Strikes & Retaliatory Missiles Escalate Tensions

Iran Launches Retaliatory Strikes Across Middle East Following US-Israel Attacks

Multiple locations within Iran were struck in coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel on Saturday, February 28, 2026, prompting a swift and forceful response from Tehran. Iranian state media reports that retaliatory missile strikes have targeted US bases across the Middle East, escalating tensions in the region and derailing ongoing negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

The initial strikes within Iran reportedly hit several key sites, including areas linked to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, as well as the nation’s intelligence ministry, defence ministry, and Atomic Energy Organization, according to Sky News. Satellite imagery indicates significant damage to Khamenei’s compound, with at least four buildings reportedly struck, though officials have stated the Supreme Leader was not present at the time.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced via Telegram that cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Kermanshah, and Qom were targeted. Disturbingly, Iranian media too reported that more than 60 students were killed and 80 injured in a strike on a girls’ school in Minab, Hormozgan province, though this claim has not been independently confirmed.

Retaliation Targets US Bases in Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, and Bahrain

In response to the attacks, Iran launched strikes against four US bases across the Middle East. These included Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain. Bahrain’s state news agency, BNA, confirmed the attack on the Fifth Fleet center. A loud explosion was also reported in Dubai, according to Sky News correspondent Sally Lockwood.

While initial reports indicated no American casualties, two officials speaking to NBC News confirmed this information. At least four people were killed in Syria when a missile struck a building in the south of the country, as reported by the state-owned SANA news agency. The IRGC has declared that all US bases, resources, and interests in the region are considered legitimate targets for further retaliation.

Who is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Why Was He Targeted?

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has served as Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, succeeding Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. As supreme leader, Khamenei holds ultimate authority over Iran’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as its armed forces, and is considered the country’s highest religious authority. He has navigated decades of tension with Western nations, faced international sanctions, and overseen responses to domestic protests.

The United States and Israel are potentially seeking to “decapitate” the Islamic Republic’s leadership, according to reports from Al Jazeera. Targeting Khamenei’s compound suggests a deliberate attempt to disrupt the chain of command and exert pressure on the Iranian government. The rationale behind this strategy stems from a desire to halt Iran’s nuclear program and curb its regional influence.

Where Was Khamenei During the Attacks?

The whereabouts of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the initial strikes remain unclear. Sources cited by Reuters reported that he was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a secure location. This suggests a pre-emptive measure taken by Iranian security forces to protect their leader from potential harm.

The Broader Context: US-Iran Relations and Nuclear Negotiations

These recent attacks represent a significant escalation in the long-standing tensions between the US and Iran. Negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program have repeatedly stalled, and the US has consistently expressed concerns about Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for regional proxies. The strikes appear to be a direct response to Iran’s continued pursuit of its nuclear ambitions and its destabilizing activities in the Middle East.

Former US President Donald Trump’s recent statement, delivered in an eight-minute video on Truth Social, further inflamed the situation. Trump urged the Iranian people to rise up against their government, signaling a potential shift in US policy towards regime change in Iran. This rhetoric has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation and instability in the region.

What Happens Next?

The immediate future remains highly uncertain. Iran has vowed further retaliation, and the US and Israel are likely to remain on high alert. The possibility of a wider regional conflict cannot be ruled out. The coming days and weeks will be critical in determining whether the situation can be de-escalated through diplomatic channels or whether it will spiral into a full-blown war. Sky News’ Europe correspondent, Alistair Bunkall, has warned that the Iranian regime “will not roll over and will die fighting if needs be.”