TEHRAN / WASHINGTON — In the most significant military escalation in the Middle East in decades, the United States and Israel have launched a massive, coordinated offensive against military targets inside Iran. Codenamed "Operation Shield of Judah," the strikes began in the early hours of Saturday, February 28, 2026, involving a sophisticated array of air and sea platforms aimed at dismantling Iran's security apparatus and missile capabilities.
Operation Details: A Multi-Front Assault
According to senior U.S. defense officials and reports from the region, the operation is "not a small strike" but a wide-ranging campaign.
Aerial Dominance: U.S. Air Force stealth assets, including B-2 Spirit bombers and F-35 Lightning II fighters, targeted command-and-control nodes and air-defense batteries near Tehran and Isfahan.
Naval Firepower: Two U.S. carrier strike groups—led by the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Abraham Lincoln—launched waves of Tomahawk cruise missiles from the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea.
Target Profile: Sources indicate the strikes have hit IRGC hubs, ballistic missile depots, and key infrastructure in the capital. Explosions were reported in Tehran, Karaj, and Kermanshah.
Strategic Context: From Diplomacy to Force
The strikes follow the collapse of last-ditch nuclear negotiations in Geneva. President Donald Trump had previously issued a 10-to-15-day ultimatum for Tehran to dismantle its enrichment program and halt support for regional proxies.
"President Trump’s first option is always diplomacy, but he is willing to use the lethal force of the United States military if necessary to ensure a 'regret-inducing' outcome for those who threaten our allies." — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt
This operation surpasses the scale of Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025, which specifically targeted nuclear facilities at Fordow and Natanz. Analysts suggest the 2026 campaign is designed to be a multi-day effort to achieve "permanent degradation" of Iran's ability to project force.
Regional Fallout and Reactions
Israel: Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the "preemptive attack," declaring a 48-hour national state of emergency as Israel braces for an expected retaliatory barrage of drones and missiles.
Iran: Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has denounced the "foreign interference," while state media claims the strikes were a response to internal unrest that began in late 2025.
Global Markets: Oil prices have surged on fears of a total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that handles 20% of the world's oil supply.
Allied Concerns: While the U.S. and Israel are the primary actors, Gulf nations like Qatar and Oman have called for immediate restraint, fearing they will be on the front lines of any Iranian counter-offensive.
The situation remains fluid as the "Shield of Judah" enters its second phase. Military planners caution that the coming days will be critical in determining whether this remains a contained campaign or evolves into a full-scale regional war.
