President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday that the United States has launched “major combat operations” against Iran in a joint offensive with Israel, targeting military and government sites.
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Trump said in a video address, calling Iranian leadership “a vicious group of very hard, terrible people.” He acknowledged the operation could last days and warned there may be American casualties.
U.S. officials described the strikes as part of a coordinated U.S.-Israel attack. Iran quickly threatened retaliation, with reports of incoming missiles and drones across the region.
Iranian Leaders Reportedly Targeted
Sources briefed on the matter said Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and President Masoud Pezeshkian were among those targeted in the strikes.
Iran has not publicly confirmed their status.
Civilian Casualties Reported
Iranian state-linked media reported heavy civilian casualties following the operation. According to Tasnim News Agency, at least 57 students were killed and 60 others injured in a strike on a girls’ elementary school in the southern city of Minab.
The destroyed building is a primary school for girls in the south of Iran. It was bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) February 28, 2026
Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone.
These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered. pic.twitter.com/AVqiuolgWm
Iran claims the school was hit during the joint military action. The reports could not be independently verified.
Regional Fallout
Iranian officials have vowed retaliation as the situation escalates across the Middle East. U.S. defense sources said American forces have intercepted Iranian missiles aimed at bases and allied targets.
Diplomatic tensions are also rising. Oman’s foreign minister urged the United States “not to get sucked in further,” signaling growing international concern about a widening conflict.
The fast-moving developments mark a dramatic escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions, with global leaders closely monitoring whether the strikes will trigger a broader regional war.
For more on this developing story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.