A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning. @AFP
Iran on Sunday launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks on United States military bases and Israeli targets, following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli strikes.
According to Iranian state media, at least 27 US bases across the Middle East, Israel’s military headquarters, and a defence industries complex in Tel Aviv were hit during the coordinated assault. The strikes were described as retaliation for the operation that killed Khamenei, who had ruled Iran since 1989.
In a statement aired on state television, Iran’s army said: “A few minutes ago, pilots of the air forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran successfully bombed US bases in the countries of the Persian Gulf and in the Kurdistan region of Iraq over several phases of operations.”
Iranian authorities confirmed early Sunday that Khamenei had died in the initial wave of attacks. Hours earlier, US President Donald Trump announced the killing of the 86-year-old cleric, describing him as “one of the most evil people in History”.
Following the confirmation, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards vowed to launch the “most ferocious” military operation in history against Israel and US positions in the region. Several Gulf countries, hosting American bases, were already grappling with the impact of what officials called unprecedented Iranian strikes.
AFP journalists reported fresh explosions in Doha, Dubai, and Manama, while warning sirens blared across central Israel. The Israeli military said it was responding to incoming Iranian missiles.
Iran’s state broadcaster reiterated that 27 US bases, Israel’s military command centre, and major defence facilities in Tel Aviv were among the main targets in the latest attacks.
Reacting to the developments, Trump issued a stern warning to Tehran, saying any further retaliation would be met with overwhelming force. He said Iran would be hit with a power that has “never been seen before”.
He also pledged to continue military pressure until the collapse of the Islamic republic, urging Iranian security forces to abandon the government.
“This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country,” Trump said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed directly to Iranians, declaring: “This is your time to join forces, to overthrow the regime and to secure your future.”
In Tehran, residents reported scenes of mixed emotions following news of Khamenei’s death. Witnesses told AFP that cheers erupted in some neighbourhoods as black smoke rose over the district where the late leader usually resided.
Later, thousands of mourners gathered at Enghlab Square, dressed mostly in black and waving Iranian flags. AFP journalists said the crowd chanted “death to America” as tensions across the region continued to escalate.
With both Washington and Tehran exchanging threats, analysts warn that the Middle East now faces one of its most dangerous confrontations in decades.
