On February 28, 2026, President Donald Trump announced Operation Epic Fury, a major joint U.S.-Israeli campaign of strikes on Iran, saying the U.S. would “avenge” Americans killed, that more U.S. casualties were likely, and that military action would continue “until our objectives are achieved.” Trump framed the strikes as aimed at Iran’s nuclear, missile and naval capabilities and urged Iran’s security forces to surrender in exchange for immunity. Initial strikes targeted hundreds of sites and, according to U.S. officials, reportedly killed senior Iranian figures; the attacks prompted Iranian missile and drone retaliation and swift international concern about wider regional escalation. (washingtonpost.com)
President Donald Trump said the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran “could take four weeks or less,” calling it “always been a four‑week process” during remarks from Mar‑a‑Lago. (apnews.com) The comments came after U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures, plunging the region into intense exchanges. (apnews.com) U.S. Central Command confirmed three American service members were killed and five wounded in the operation, while Iran launched missile and drone attacks across the Middle East, striking bases and airports. (news.usni.org) Trump said he was open to negotiations but warned military action would continue, and world leaders urged restraint. (apnews.com)
On June 18, 2025, Iran’s state television was briefly hacked: satellite links were disrupted and multiple channels were hijacked to air footage of past anti‑regime protests and messages urging Iranians to take to the streets. (timesofisrael.com) Iranian broadcasters later warned viewers the interruption resulted from a cyberattack by the “Zionist enemy.” (jewishnews.com) The clip also included an English‑language appeal from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (timesofisrael.com) Separately, U.S. President Donald Trump had publicly urged Iranians to keep protesting, saying “help is on its way.” (pbs.org) The incident occurred amid intensified Israel‑Iran hostilities and a wider communications blackout inside Iran, and raised international alarm worldwide. (timesofisrael.com)
Early Sunday just before 2 a.m., a gunman opened fire outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on Sixth Street in Austin, Texas, circling in an SUV and shooting from the vehicle before parking, exiting with a rifle and firing at pedestrians. (apnews.com) Two people were killed and 14 others were wounded; officers who arrived within about a minute returned fire and killed the suspect. (fox9.com) The FBI said there were “indicators on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate potential nexus to terrorism,” and its Joint Terrorism Task Force is assisting, though officials say motive remains undetermined. (apnews.com) Investigations continue; victims are aided. (theguardian.com)
Claiming to “counter a Hormuz blockade”, a circulated headline that President Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on countries that refuse to buy Russian oil is unsupported by reporting. In reality, the Trump administration has used tariffs to punish countries buying Russian or Venezuelan oil: an executive order on March 24, 2025 levied a 25% tariff on countries importing Venezuelan crude, and in 2025–2026 Mr. Trump threatened and imposed additional tariffs targeting countries (notably India) over Russian oil purchases. On February 2, 2026 the White House announced a trade understanding with India tied to reducing Russian oil imports and tariff changes. Sources: (whitehouse.gov)
On February 28, 2026, Saudi Arabia warned it will retaliate militarily against Iran if attacks on U.S. bases on Saudi soil continue. Riyadh condemned Iranian missile and drone strikes that hit parts of the Gulf, including strikes aimed at U.S. assets hosted by Gulf states, saying the assaults on Riyadh and the Eastern Province were repelled. The Foreign Ministry pledged to defend Saudi territory and citizens, reserving the right to use all necessary measures, including military response. The announcement underscores escalating regional tensions after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets and raises fears of broader conflict and civilian harm. (today.lorientlejour.com)
On February 28, 2026, Saudi Arabia warned it would retaliate against Iran if strikes on U.S. bases on its territory continue, after reporting and repelling missile and drone attacks that struck Riyadh and the Eastern Province. (english.aawsat.com) Riyadh condemned the assaults as a “blatant and cowardly” violation of sovereignty and said it would take all necessary measures, including responding to aggression, to defend its people and territory. The warning came amid a wider exchange: U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran prompted Tehran to launch missiles at U.S. bases across the Gulf, hitting facilities in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain and Jordan. (cbsnews.com)
On February 28, 2026, U.S. and Israeli forces launched a coordinated attack on Iran; Israeli and Western officials reported Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed when his Tehran compound was struck, though Iran’s state media and officials deny his death. President Donald Trump publicly endorsed the reports and asked whether people were “happy” about Khamenei’s death, framing the strikes as justice and urging Iranians to seize the moment. The strikes reportedly targeted senior IRGC and nuclear program figures, killed scores of civilians, and prompted Iranian missile and drone reprisals across the region, raising fears of wider escalation and uncertainty.
Sources: (aljazeera.com)
