The United States joined Israel in attacking Iran on Saturday, causing notable destruction and killing more than 201 people, including the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
US President Donald Trump confirmed Washington’s involvement and posted a video on Truth Social in which he said the US had begun “major combat operations in Iran” following Israel’s attacks. “They will never be able to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said, reiterating his administration’s long-standing position. He hailed US-Israeli airstrikes that killed Iran’s leaderbut warned that the attacks would continue. The strikes, which Trump said were aimed at destroying Iranian missiles and annihilating its navy, follow repeated warnings between the United States and Israel that they would attack Iran again if it pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Rescue workers and residents search through the rubble after what Iranian officials said was an Israeli-American attack on a girls’ primary school in Minab, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (Photo: Mehr News Agency via AP)
How has Iran responded to the attack so far?
Iran’s counterattack against Israeli territory and US allies
Following the expansive attack, Iran responded with missiles and projectiles against Israeli territory, indicating a direct counterattack. Explosions were reported in northern Israel as air defense systems were activated to intercept incoming Iranian missiles and sirens sounded in parts of the country amid fears of a growing conflict. The Islamic Republic also launched attacks against Washington’s regional allies (United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar), all of which host US military bases. According to a 2024 Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, there are eight persistent bases and 11 other US-owned military sites in the Middle East.
What Iran’s ambassador to India said
Iran’s ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali affirmed that his country has the right to self-defense and will use all options to protect himself. He said that “the real objective is pressure, threat and military aggression to secure their own illegitimate interests.” Speaking at the House of Iranian Culture in New Delhi, Fathali said: “Iran has been attacked once again by the United States and Israel… They violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran. They attacked targets in several cities, including defensive infrastructure and civilian areas.”
“Now we will defend our country… Iran has the legitimate right of self-defense; as an independent country, Iran will use all necessary options to protect its territorial integrity, its independence and the lives of its citizens. Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared,” he said.
Traces of air defense missile interceptions are seen in Tel Aviv, Israel, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo)
What the Iranian Foreign Minister did
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Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi spoke to his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq, asking them to stop the United States and Israel from using their territories against Tehran. In telephone conversations with his West Asian counterparts, Araghchi called the military aggression a flagrant violation of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and a clear crime against international peace and security, according to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Referring to Iran’s firm determination to continue its policy of good neighborliness and friendship with all countries in the region, he underlined the fundamental principle of international law that prohibits any participation in an act of aggression against another State. He reminded all countries in the region of their responsibility to prevent the United States and the Zionist regime from exploiting their facilities or territories to carry out aggressive operations against Iran, the statement said. Araghchi said that “the war… is not directed only against the Iranian nation but against all countries in the region.” Therefore, he noted, it is up to all Muslim nations and regional governments to fulfill their historic responsibility to confront malicious designs.
Iran’s warning after declaring Khamenei dead
With Khamenei’s death confirmed, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed in a statement that Iran’s military would soon retaliate again with its largest offensive against U.S. bases and Israel, prompting a Counterthreat from US President Trump.warning Iran not to retaliate for its Operation Epic Fury. Trump said Tehran “better not do that.” Trump added that if Iran goes ahead with its attack plan, he will attack them with a force they have never seen before.
A protester marching in support of regime change in Iran reacts to unconfirmed reports that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed during U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, in Richmond Hill, Ont., Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (The Canadian Press via AP)
Celebrations in the streets of Tehran
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Meanwhile, Khamenei’s assassination sparked Jubilant celebrations in the streets of Tehran.. Videos from the capital show massive crowds of people gathering, dancing, shouting and throwing what can be understood to be hats. Slogans of “Death to the Republic of Israel” and “Long live the Shah” were also heard. In a video call with the New York Times, three residents showed the scenes unfolding in their neighborhoods. What was seen was: large crowds of men and women dancing and cheering, shouting, “Woohoo, hooray.” Passing drivers honked their horns. Fireworks lit up the sky and loud Persian dance music filled the streets. Many neighbors, from their windows and balconies, joined in the chant of “freedom, freedom.”
What Iranian royalty in exile said
Iranian royalty in exile Reza Pahlavi thanked US President Donald Trump for Operation Epic Fury against the Iranian regime and, finally, to kill Supreme Leader Ayotollah Khamenei. In an article in the Washington Post, Pahlavi said: “In announcing the attacks, President Donald Trump laid out the serious threats that the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism poses to the United States and its allies. He also addressed the Iranian people, the regime’s most suffering victims, declaring that ‘the hour of your freedom is near.'”
In a post on Facebook, Pahlavi said: “Ali Khamenei, the bloodthirsty despot of our time, the murderer of tens of thousands of Iran’s bravest sons and daughters, has been wiped from the face of history. With his death, the Islamic Republic has effectively come to an end and will soon be consigned to the dustbin of history.”
