JOINT ISRAELI AND US STRIKES TARGETING IRANIAN LEADERSHIP; RETALIATORY ATTACKS FROM IRAN AND FURTHER STRIKES EXPECTED
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
(The Situation Update Report [SUR] is a near real-time brief of a possible threat or situation being monitored by The Counter Threat Center. The information is accurate at the time of reporting, but may be subject to change.)
Amelia Bell, Alexia Andrica, Michela Sereno, Maxime De Crop, Insa Reblin, Bhavya Jain, Khushi Salian - CENTCOM Team
Lizel Klaasen, Elena Alice Rossetti, Editor; Jennifer Loy, Chief Editor
February 28, 2026
Damaged Buildings after Airstrikes[1]
Current situation:
A series of coordinated US and Israeli military strikes has been ongoing against multiple Iranian targets, starting in the early hours this morning.[2] The strikes appear to be targeting Iranian leadership, following the reported breakdown of diplomatic talks between the US and Iran held on February 26, where discussions reportedly focused on nuclear program limitations and sanctions relief but ended without progress.[3]
Day/Time of event: February 28, 2026/Around 0130 EST
What is the current threat:
Joint US/Israel airstrikes on Tehran will almost certainly lead to Iranian proxies’ involvement across the Middle East. In response to these strikes, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis will very likely join counterreaction efforts, likely targeting Israel's leadership and defence infrastructure through retaliatory strikes. The potential destabilization of Iran due to Israel’s military operations will likely lead to other Iranian military proxies conducting attacks across Israel. The increased tit-for-tat strikes will likely lead to a multi-front escalation, likely resulting in a large-scale regional crisis.
Airstrikes on central Tehran will almost certainly impact critical infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, very likely increasing injuries and displacement among residents. These strikes will very likely force evacuations to the city outskirts, almost certainly overloading public transport, and increasing confusion, likely leading to stampede-like situations and casualties. The impact on public transport will very likely reduce accessibility for emergency response services to critically impacted areas. The multiple impacted sites will very likely strain emergency aid delivery on the ground and in hospitals. The lack of access to emergency care and hospitals will likely force citizens to seek assistance in neighbouring countries, saturating regional medical capabilities.
US/Israeli airstrikes on Tehran will very likely expose US nationals to retaliatory attacks, including opportunistic violence and detentions. The targeting of US civilians will very likely disrupt evacuation routes and prevent efficient repatriation planning. Security forces will likely target US nationals to gain bargaining leverage in potential de-escalation negotiations, increasing the likelihood of hostage-taking situations through targeting areas with a high concentration of US nationals. Iran will likely enforce limited communication should any American citizens be captured or detained, likely to reduce international awareness and backlash.
This escalation will likely increase the speculation over the potential involvement of Reza Pahlavi. His return in the short term to lead a transitional government will unlikely happen, given the entrenched control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the uncertain time of the regime’s fall. In the long term, sustained military pressure, economic deterioration, and potential internal fragmentation will likely increase the probability that opposition figures, such as Pahlavi, will reemerge as suitable candidates, particularly if internal regime cohesion continues to weaken and the population seek for a unifying post-republic framework for the country.
Who will it directly impact:
Israeli government
Israeli Defence Forces (IDF)
Israeli Air Force (IAF)
Israeli citizens
Iranian leadership
Iranian government
Iranian emergency services
Iranian medical responders
Tehran residents
Iranian civilians
US government
US military personnel
US citizens in Tehran
US bases in Qatar
US bases in Kuwait
US bases in Doha
Qatar citizens
Bahrain citizens
Kuwait citizens
Doha residents
[1] Airstrike, generated by a third party image database
[2] @WhiteHouse, X, February 28, 2026, https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/2027654336138924410
[3] President Trump Gaggles with Press Before Departing the White House, The White House, February 2026, https://www.whitehouse.gov/videos/president-trump-gaggles-with-press-before-departing-the-white-house-feb-27-2026/
