Washington D.C. – A major joint military operation launched by the United States and Israel against Iran commenced Saturday, March 7, 2026, targeting key leaders and military sites across the Islamic Republic. The coordinated strikes follow weeks of escalating tensions in the region and represent a significant escalation of the long-standing conflict between the nations. The development underscores growing regional instability and raises concerns about a wider conflict.
According to officials, the strikes targeted Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Other top regime and military commanders were similarly reportedly targeted, though the full extent of the impact remains unclear. Several senior Revolutionary Guards commanders and political officials were killed, an Iranian source close to the establishment told the Times of Israel, including the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Gen. Mohammad Pakpour and Iranian defense minister Aziz Nasirzadeh.
US President Donald Trump announced the beginning of “major combat operations in Iran,” stating the campaign is “a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests.” The announcement could influence future diplomatic talks and international efforts to de-escalate the situation.
The strikes, which began shortly after 8 a.m. Israel time, also included Iran’s military, symbols of government, and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation who spoke on condition of anonymity. Footage posted to social media showed plumes of smoke after reported explosions in Tehran, as well as near the cities of Tabriz, and Sahand.
In response to the attacks, Iran has reportedly launched missiles toward Israel and Gulf nations hosting US bases, according to Times Now News. Officials have warned that further attacks could follow.
President Trump submitted a resolution to Congress on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, stating the threat from Iran had been “untenable” despite efforts to find a diplomatic solution, as reported by the BBC. House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed the Trump administration had notified the “Gang of 8” – a bipartisan group of the top eight congressional leaders – ahead of the strikes.
The conflict has already resulted in significant casualties. Iranian state media reported more than 900 people have been killed by Israeli and American strikes, while 11 have died in Israel as a result of Iranian retaliatory fire. Six US soldiers have also died in an Iranian strike that hit a makeshift operations centre in Kuwait.
The first US evacuation flight from the Middle East departed after the Trump administration faced criticism for not having an evacuation plan in place. More than 17,500 US citizens have returned home since February 28, 2026.
President Trump has indicated he expects the conflict to last four to five weeks.
Meanwhile, Swedish authorities have raised the national security level following the escalating tensions, citing an increased risk of attacks, according to Sveriges Radio.
