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<\/a><\/p>\nIsraelis race for shelter amid reports of incoming missiles from Iran on Feb. 28, 2026 in Pardes Hanna-Karkur, Israel. (Amir Levy\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Iran immediately retaliated by launching missiles toward Israel and U.S. positions in the Middle East, sending Israelis across the country to bomb shelters for the first time since last June.<\/p>\n
Both President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated in video addresses that their goal was to topple the Islamic Republic regime that has been in place for nearly 50 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands,\u201d Netanyahu said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don\u2019t leave your home. It\u2019s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere,\u201d Trump said. \u201cWhen we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take this will be probably your only chance for generations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trump cited the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas as one in a series of attacks staged or supported by Iran over decades justifying the campaign, in which he warned U.S. service members could die.<\/p>\n
One person was reported injured in a first wave of retaliatory attacks in Israel. Most missiles appeared to have been shot down, with the sounds of explosions resounding in parts of the country. A second wave was reported to be on its way several hours later.<\/p>\n
Last year, nearly 30 people in Israel were killed by Iranian missiles during a 12-day war that included a U.S. strike on Iranian targets. Trump said again during his address that the attack had \u201cobliterated the regime\u2019s nuclear program\u201d but said the country \u201crejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions\u201d since.<\/p>\n
U.S. and Iranian negotiators most recently met on Thursday in Geneva. On Friday, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told embassy staff that they could leave Israel, urging them to do so \u201cTODAY\u201d if they chose to depart, signaling that the massive troop buildup in the Middle East could soon be deployed against Iran.<\/p>\n
In Israel, Ben Gurion Airport has closed; hospitals relocated essential operations underground; and synagogues that had been hosting Shabbat services reconvened in parking decks. The country is set to celebrate Purim, a holiday celebrating the defeat of a Persian ruler who had tried to kill the Jews, starting Monday night.<\/p>\n