Finance
Israel says it launched pre-emptive attack against Iran
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 28, 2026
3 min readLast updated: February 28, 2026
Quick Summary
On February 28, 2026, Israel, in coordination with the United States, launched a major pre‑emptive military strike against Iran—targeting Tehran and other cities—escalating tensions sharply with explosions, sirens, and civil defense measures across the region.
Feb 28 (Reuters) - Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran on Saturday, pushing the Middle East into a renewed military confrontation and further dimming hopes for a diplomatic solution to Tehran's long-running nuclear dispute with the West.
The New York Times, citing a U.S. official, reported that U.S. strikes on Iran were underway. A source told Reuters that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a secure location.
The attack, coming after Israel and Iran engaged in a 12-day air war in June, follows repeated U.S.-Israeli warnings that they would strike again if Iran pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
"The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel," Defence Minister Israel Katz said.
An Israeli defence official said the operation had been planned for months in coordination with Washington, and that the launch date was decided weeks ago.
Explosions were heard in Tehran on Saturday, Iranian media reported, and sirens sounded across Israel around 08:15 local time in what the military said was a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of an incoming missile strike.
The Israeli military announced the closure of schools and workplaces, with exceptions for essential sectors, and a ban on public airspace. Israel closed its airspace to civilian flights, and the airports authority asked the public not to go to any of the country's airports.
The U.S. and Iran renewed negotiations in February in a bid to resolve the decades-long dispute through diplomacy and avert the threat of a military confrontation that could destabilise the region.
Israel, however, insisted that any U.S. deal with Iran must include the dismantling of Tehran's nuclear infrastructure, not just stopping the enrichment process, and lobbied Washington to include restrictions on Iran's missile programme in the talks.
Iran said it was prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for lifting sanctions but ruled out linking the issue to missiles.
Tehran also said it would defend itself against any attack.
It warned neighbouring countries hosting U.S. troops that it would retaliate against American bases if Washington struck Iran.
In June, the U.S. joined an Israeli military campaign against Iranian nuclear installations, in the most direct American military action ever against the Islamic Republic.
Tehran retaliated then by launching missiles toward the U.S. Al Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest in the Middle East.
Western powers have warned that Iran's ballistic missile project threatens regional stability and could deliver nuclear weapons if developed. Tehran denies seeking atomic bombs.
(Reporting by Reuters Bureaux; Editing by Sam Holmes)
Key Takeaways
- •Israel designated the operation as a pre‑emptive strike “to remove threats to the State of Israel,” confirmed by Defence Minister Israel Katz, and named internally as Operation Lion’s Roar (en.wikipedia.org).
- •The operation was coordinated with the U.S., which deployed significant forces in the region; President Trump described the campaign as “major combat operations,” aimed at dismantling Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities (axios.com).
- •Explosions were reported across Tehran—particularly near University Street, Jomhouri district, and close to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s offices—prompting widespread sirens and emergency alerts in both Iran and Israel (aljazeera.com).
- •Israel declared a nationwide state of emergency, closed its airspace and suspended schools and public gatherings; Iran also closed airspace and warned of potential retaliation including missile and drone strikes (israelhayom.com).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Israel says it launched pre-emptive attack against Iran
1Why did Israel launch a pre-emptive attack against Iran?
Israel launched the attack to remove threats related to Iran's nuclear and missile programs, following repeated warnings and regional tensions.
2What actions did Israel take after the attack?
Israel closed its airspace, banned public flights, issued sirens, and closed schools and workplaces except essential services.
3How did Iran respond to the Israeli attack?
Iran warned it would defend itself and retaliate against US bases in case of further attacks, while moving its supreme leader to a secure location.
4What is the status of diplomatic talks between the US and Iran?
The US and Iran renewed negotiations in February, but disagreements remain, especially regarding the inclusion of Iran's missile program.
5How does the conflict impact financial markets?
Rising regional tensions and military actions create uncertainty and could lead to volatility in global financial and energy markets.