Epic Fury and the Roar of a Lion Rain Down On Iran’s Evil Regime

After weeks of threats and deliberations, U.S. President Donald Trump gave the order, and the attack began. Shortly after 8:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, dozens of Israeli and American Air Force aircraft began striking targets throughout Iran. At the same time, sirens sounded across Israel, alerting the public to the launch of Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion. The Americans named the operation “Epic Fury”.

President Trump announced shortly after the operation began, “A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations
in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands.”

In the first wave of strikes, an attempt was made to eliminate Iran’s political and military leadership, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. The deaths of Defense Minister Amir Nasirzadeh and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohammad Pakpour were confirmed early on, while the death of leader Ali Khamenei was confirmed late in the evening.

Iran responded by launching dozens of missiles and drones toward Israel, the Gulf states, and Jordan. American officials confirmed to various media outlets that several U.S. bases in the Middle East were struck.

Reported strike on US naval base in Bahrain:

WATCH: Iranian Shahed drone struck a U.S. naval base in Bahrain. pic.twitter.com/LlLh5tZBdi

— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026

Roaring Lion and Fury

The opening strike focused first and foremost on the upper echelons of the Iranian regime and decision-making centers in Tehran. Reported targets included the compound where Ali Khamenei resides, the presidential palace, headquarters of the Supreme National Security Council, the Ministry of Intelligence, the Ministry of Defense, and offices of senior military commanders. Government buildings and judiciary institutions were also struck.

Hundreds of munitions were dropped on roughly 500 targets, including air defense systems and missile launchers across multiple regions simultaneously. The IDF stated that neutralizing these defense systems expanded Israeli aerial superiority over Iranian skies and enabled strikes on launch sites in western Iran, described as a central component of the regime’s offensive capability.

Among the sites targeted was a facility in the Tabriz region used by a surface-to-surface missile unit, from which dozens of missiles toward Israel’s civilian heartland were reportedly planned. This operation thwarted threats to Israeli aircraft and to the Israeli home front.

⭕️The IDF completed a broad strike on strategic defense systems of the Iranian regime.

The IDF struck multiple strategic aerial defense systems, including an advanced SA-65 system in the Kermanshah area of western Iran. pic.twitter.com/p3UI3aB50y

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026

Alongside these regime targets, the strikes focused on security infrastructure, including air defense systems, military bases, missile launchers, facilities of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, and the military base at Parchin. Explosions were reported in Tehran and in dozens of other locations across the country. According to an American official speaking to The New York Times, dozens of strikes were carried out by aircraft that took off from bases across the Middle East and from aircraft carriers.

At 8:13 a.m., sirens were activated nationwide in Israel, and the Home Front Command issued public guidelines. Defense Minister Israel Katz signed an order imposing a special state of emergency across the entire country.

The Regime Lashes Out

Iran’s retaliation included missile and drone launches toward Israel and additional regional targets. In Umm al-Fahm, a man was lightly wounded by shrapnel that fell into a residential yard. In Tirat Carmel, a resident sustained light injuries when missile shrapnel caused heavy damage to a high-rise residential building. The fragment penetrated from the 20th floor and was halted on the 14th floor. Firefighters searched the building for trapped residents. Additional light injuries were reported in another northern community. Bomb disposal teams collected fragments in central Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, the area of Kafr Manda, and in southern regions. Magen David Adom reported treating not only those injured by impacts and shrapnel, but also individuals suffering from anxiety and others hurt while running to protected spaces.

Simultaneously, Iran launched missiles toward Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan. Bahrain reported that the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet service center sustained a missile attack. Later reports indicated strikes on American bases in Saudi Arabia. In the United Arab Emirates, one civilian was killed and three others wounded. At the same time, the Houthis announced the renewal of attacks against ships in the Red Sea and the termination of ceasefire agreements with the United States and Israel.

Iranian drone hit on Dubai:

WATCH: Full video showing the Shahed drone’s arrival in Dubai. https://t.co/rEwgK0f7vw pic.twitter.com/gNMtlJ4mgh

— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026

Strike on Qatar:

⚡️Very impressive video from Qatarpic.twitter.com/ODO5cOyqss

— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) February 28, 2026

Evening of the First Day

By 6:49 p.m., approximately 200 Israeli fighter jets had completed a massive strike against Iran’s missile array and air defense systems in the western and central parts of the country. According to the IDF, this was the largest strike formation in the history of the Israeli Air Force, executed after prolonged planning and directed by the Intelligence Directorate, with hundreds of aircraft operating in synchronized coordination. The operation was named “Bereshit” – Genesis.

Shortly before 7:00 p.m., the Israeli Air Force initiated a new wave of strikes in central Iran targeting air defense systems and ballistic missile launchers. Earlier in the evening, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced he would convene a security assessment at 10:00 p.m.

By 7:30 p.m., for the first time since the outbreak of the war, sirens were heard in Oman, which had served in recent weeks as a mediator between Washington and Tehran. Earlier, several Iranian drones struck residential buildings in Bahrain.

In Israel, police reported that officers from the Central District and bomb disposal experts were operating at the scene of a missile impact on a residential building in the Sharon region. No injuries were reported. Authorities urged the public not to approach impact sites, to avoid touching shrapnel or interceptor fragments, and to allow emergency services to operate without interference.

“We Will Meet All Challenges”

As the evening progressed, Israel’s defense establishment convened urgent assessments. Shortly before 20:00, Defense Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. (res.) Amir Baram held a high-level situation evaluation with senior ministry officials and operational bodies. He defined the central effort as sustaining the IDF’s operational endurance and functional continuity, continuing support for reserve mobilization, strengthening home front preparedness, and backing defense industries and essential factories.

Baram instructed that all ministry capabilities be placed at the IDF’s disposal and that preparations continue for prolonged fighting, including the possibility of expansion to additional fronts. “We are arriving prepared for this moment,” he said. “The preparations made in recent months are now being expressed operationally. Many challenges lie ahead, and I am confident that together we will meet them.”

As in all human endeavors, our efforts are dependent on God’s will. May He protect the many Israelis, Americans and Arab states who are fighting on the side of the angels, and bring an end to the evil in Iran.

“The Lord shall go out like a hero; like a warrior shall He arouse zeal; He shall shout, He shall even cry, He shall overpower His foes.” (Isaiah 42:13)