Explosions Rock Tehran as Iran Retaliates with Missile Launches Against Israel
By Juba Global News Network | JubaGlobal.com
February 28, 2026
Smoke billowed over the Iranian capital of Tehran early Saturday as the Islamic Republic launched a fierce retaliatory barrage in response to devastating joint U.S.-Israeli preemptive strikes that targeted military, nuclear-related, and leadership sites across the country. The counterattack marked a rapid and dangerous escalation in what is now being described as one of the most direct confrontations between Iran and the U.S.-Israel alliance in recent history.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the initiation of its “first large-scale wave” of ballistic missile and drone strikes targeting Israel, with additional salvos aimed at U.S. military facilities throughout the Persian Gulf region. Iranian state media and witnesses reported multiple powerful explosions in central Tehran following the initial U.S.-Israeli assault, with thick plumes of smoke rising from downtown areas near key government buildings, including sites reportedly close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s offices.
Residents in Tehran described chaotic scenes: air-raid sirens wailing, people rushing to shelters, and the sky lit by flashes from interceptors and incoming projectiles. Iranian authorities confirmed strikes had hit various provinces, including Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah, but provided limited details on casualties or damage. Early reports suggested civilian areas may have been affected, though official figures remained unavailable amid the ongoing chaos.
In retaliation, Iran unleashed waves of ballistic missiles toward Israel, triggering nationwide air-raid sirens and sending millions of Israelis into bomb shelters. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported intercepting most incoming projectiles with systems like Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow, though explosions were heard in northern Israel, Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem as debris fell or interceptors detonated. The IDF stated that approximately 35 ballistic missiles had been launched from Iran since the morning, with new waves detected periodically.
Beyond Israel, Iran’s counterstrikes extended to U.S. and allied targets in the region. Explosions were reported near U.S. bases in Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. In Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, shrapnel from an Iranian missile killed one person—the first confirmed fatality directly linked to Iran’s retaliation, according to UAE state media. Plumes of smoke rose over facilities in Bahrain, while interceptions occurred over Qatar and other Gulf states. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed all Israeli and U.S. bases in the region had been targeted in the operation.
The escalation followed President Donald Trump’s announcement of “major combat operations” in Iran, where he described the joint strikes as necessary to “raze” Iran’s missile industry, destroy its navy, and prevent nuclear weapon development. Trump urged Iranians to seize the moment for regime change, stating the action would create opportunities for the people to “take over your government.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed the operation as a long-planned effort to eliminate an “existential threat,” with Defense Minister Israel Katz declaring a nationwide state of emergency. Civilian flights were grounded, schools closed, and public gatherings banned as the country braced for further Iranian reprisals.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks as a “criminal act” during ongoing diplomatic efforts on its nuclear program, vowing a “decisive” and “crushing” response that would make the aggressors “regret” their actions. The Revolutionary Guard emphasized that the missile and drone barrages were just the beginning, signaling potential for sustained or intensified operations.
Global markets reacted sharply, with oil prices surging amid fears of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and broader energy supply chains. Airlines canceled flights across the Middle East, and several countries issued travel warnings. Russia and China swiftly criticized the U.S.-Israeli strikes as violations of sovereignty, while European leaders called for de-escalation to prevent a wider war.
As of late morning on February 28, 2026, the situation remains highly fluid. Israeli defenses continue to engage incoming threats, U.S. forces in the region are on high alert, and Iranian officials have not ruled out further waves of attacks. Casualty numbers are mounting, with unconfirmed reports of deaths in Tehran and the Gulf, and the risk of a full-scale regional conflict looms large.
Juba Global News Network is monitoring developments closely. Live updates and analysis available at JubaGlobal.com.
By: Juba Global News Network | JubaGlobal.com
