On February 28, 2026, after weeks of escalating tension in the region and increasingly explicit threats of armed confrontation, Israel and the United States launched a large-scale joint attack against Iran, hitting numerous targets throughout the Islamic Republic
Explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran, where smoke rose to the horizon and residents heard intense detonations.
US President Donald Trump announced, in an eight-minute video posted on his Truth Social network, that US forces had launched “major combat operations in Iran.” He described the campaign as a massive and ongoing operation aimed at stopping “this very evil and radical dictatorship” from continuing to threaten America and its fundamental national security interests. Trump stated categorically that American forces would destroy Iranian missiles, completely demolish the country’s missile industry, annihilate its navy, and ensure that Tehran-backed terrorist groups could no longer destabilize the region or attack American and allied forces.In a direct and incisive tone, the president indicated that the ultimate goal of the operation was to overthrow the current regime. He made an explicit appeal to the Iranian people, declaring that “the hour of your freedom is at hand” and asking the population to remain sheltered during the bombings, as “bombs will be falling everywhere.” Trump added: “When we’re done, take your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be the only chance for generations.” Addressing specifically the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the armed forces, and the police, he demanded that they lay down their arms, promising complete immunity if they obeyed, or face “certain death” otherwise.
Ataque conjunto massivo dos EUA e israel ao irã: trump indica objetivo de derrubar o regime#Irã
? Israel Agora e Sempre (@AgoraIsrael) February 28, 2026
Após semanas de tensão na região e ameaças cada vez mais explÃcitas de confronto armado, Israel e os Estados Unidos iniciaram um ataque conjunto contra o Irãhttps://t.co/xK9Xwqy5M9 pic.twitter.com/z0rZLGPbgN
The targets included military installations, symbols of governmental power, and intelligence locations in different parts of Iran. An attack was reported near the offices of the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, although it is unknown whether the 86-year-old leader was present, as he had not appeared publicly for days amid escalating tensions. Unconfirmed reports from the Iranian opposition suggested that the residences and offices of high-ranking leaders were also targeted. The government-linked Tasnim news agency confirmed that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was in good health following speculation about possible personal attacks.Em Israel, sirenes antiaéreas soaram por todo o paÃs a partir das primeiras horas da manhã, enviando milhões de pessoas para abrigos. O Irã respondeu lançando mÃsseis balÃsticos em direção ao território israelense, enquanto um oficial iraniano prometeu à Reuters que a retaliação de Teerã seria esmagadora. O ministro da Defesa israelense, Israel Katz, declarou que o paÃs havia executado um “ataque preemptivo” para eliminar ameaças existenciais ao Estado de Israel, batizando a operação de “Rugido do Leão”. Um estado de emergência foi decretado imediatamente, com o espaço aéreo fechado, proibição de atividades educacionais e reuniões, e recomendação para que a população permanecesse próxima aos abrigos.
Autoridades dos dois paÃses confirmaram que a operação foi planejada conjuntamente há meses, com coordenação total entre as forças americanas e israelenses. A fase inicial estava prevista para durar vários dias, e o horário matinal escolhido visava surpreender as defesas iranianas. Fontes de segurança israelenses afirmaram que ambos os lados estavam “na mesma página”, com Israel adotando uma postura de “ir com tudo”.
The Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency, opened a secure Persian-language channel on Telegram to communicate directly with Iranians, asking them to share information and videos of their “just struggle against the regime” and promising to together “return Iran to its glory days.”
The campaign occurs in a context of escalation following the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June 2025, when American attacks had already damaged Iranian nuclear facilities in the so-called Operation Midnight Hammer. Despite recent nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran appearing to be progressing, with an agreement for new rounds of dialogue, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the Iranian stance and, in retrospect, seems to have used the dialogue as a distraction while preparing the military strike.
American and Israeli officials expect a swift response from Tehran and its regional proxies against US interests in the Middle East, which could prolong the conflict. Opposition leaders in Israel expressed full support for the operation, highlighting national unity in times of crisis and the combined strength of the Israel Defense Forces with the support of the United States.
Published in 02/28/2026 10h39
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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