On Feb. 28, 2026, Israeli and U.S. forces began joint air attacks on Iran, effectively starting a war that aimed to destroy Iran’s missile program. The missile strikes ended up greatly damaging the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj and Kermanshah. However, the main takeaway from the attacks was the fact that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei was killed by the attacks. The attacks also resulted in civilian casualties and damage to schools and hospitals.

Tensions had been brewing for decades, with the most recent conflicts in 2023 and 2024 where Israel and Iran kept exchanging missile strikes. However, failed negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over nuclear weaponry led to a rapid escalation toward conflict. 

After the attacks, Iran was quick to retaliate by launching missile and drone strikes to nearby U.S. military bases, Israel, and even ports and shipping routes in Oman. Following the attacks, the Strait of Hormuz, one of the biggest waterways in the world through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply passes, was unofficially shut down after Iran declared that no ship would be allowed to pass. Iran would begin to fire at ships if they dared to cross, which led to an increase in oil prices and a disruption in global supply chains.

After the attacks, the U.S. government claimed that the reason for its actions was to prevent Iran from obtaining more nuclear weapons. They claimed that Iran was developing new missiles and kept advancing in uranium enrichment, which would label them as a dangerous nuclear warhead. 

However, following the number of civilian deaths and President Trump’s comments to tell Iranians to “take over your government,” there has been speculation that the U.S. government was trying to overthrow the regime instead of weakening it. Although there is some evidence for that statement, nothing has been confirmed to date.