U.S. and Israel launch 'major combat operations in Iran' after failed nuclear negotiations
Trump administration deployed naval assets including two aircraft carriers to the region
Iran's Supreme Leader warned the strikes would trigger a 'regional war'
Diplomatic efforts in Oman and Switzerland failed to prevent military action
Iran's nuclear program has enriched uranium to 60% purity, near weapons-grade levels
📖 Full Retelling
President Trump announced that the U.S. and Israel have launched 'major combat operations in Iran' early Saturday morning, February 28, 2026, following a failed effort to pressure Tehran into a new nuclear deal after weeks of escalating tensions. The strikes come after Trump had repeatedly threatened Iran over its nuclear program and following a brutal crackdown on nationwide protests in January that killed thousands of people. The Trump administration had moved over a dozen naval ships and aircraft toward the Middle East in recent weeks, including two aircraft carriers, as part of the pressure campaign on Iran. This marks the second major military action against Iran by the Trump administration, with previous strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025. Diplomatic efforts had included multiple rounds of indirect talks in Oman and Switzerland, with mediators expressing cautious optimism about reaching an agreement before the military action was taken. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had previously warned that any U.S. strikes would spark a 'regional war' in the Middle East, posting an AI-generated image of an American ship at the bottom of the ocean in response to the naval buildup. The nuclear program at the center of this confrontation has enriched uranium to 60% purity, just a short step from weapons-grade levels, though Iran maintains the program is for peaceful purposes. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as the potential for wider regional conflict remains high.
🏷️ Themes
Military Conflict, Diplomacy, Nuclear Proliferation
# Iran
**Iran**, officially the **Islamic Republic of Iran** and historically known as **Persia**, is a sovereign country situated in West Asia. It is a major regional power, ranking as the 17th-largest country in the world by both land area and population. Combining a rich historical legacy with a...
The Middle East is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, the Levant, and Turkey.
The term came into widespread usage by Western European nations in the early 20th century as a replacement of the term Near East (both were in contrast to the Far East). The term ...
President of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025)
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021.
Born into a wealthy New York City family, Trump graduated from the...
The U.S. and Israel's military strikes on Iran represent a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the two nations, particularly concerning Iran's nuclear program. This action carries the risk of wider regional conflict and has major implications for global security and the pursuit of nuclear non-proliferation.
Context & Background
Long-standing tensions between the U.S. and Iran over Iran's nuclear program.
Recent diplomatic efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal have stalled.
Escalating regional conflicts and proxy wars involving Iran have heightened concerns.
What Happens Next
The immediate aftermath will likely involve monitoring Iran's response, which could range from diplomatic protests to retaliatory actions. International diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation and prevent further conflict are expected to intensify. The long-term impact will depend on the scale of Iran's response and the broader geopolitical implications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the U.S.'s reasons for launching the strikes?
The U.S. cited Iran's nuclear program as a primary concern, expressing dissatisfaction with the pace of progress in diplomatic negotiations and aiming to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
What is Iran's likely response to the strikes?
Iran's response is uncertain but could include diplomatic protests, military exercises, or retaliation against U.S. or allied interests in the region. Iran's Supreme Leader has warned of a 'regional war' if the U.S. continues such actions.
How does this event affect the possibility of a nuclear deal with Iran?
The strikes significantly complicate the prospects for reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. They increase distrust and make it more difficult to reach a diplomatic agreement, although some analysts believe diplomacy may still be possible.
What is the current status of Iran's nuclear program?
Iran has enriched uranium to a level close to weapons-grade, raising concerns about its potential to develop nuclear weapons. Despite past strikes, Iran's nuclear program continues to advance.
Original Source
Live U.S. and Israel launch military strikes on Iran, with Trump confirming "major combat operations" By Joe Walsh , Joe Walsh Senior Editor, Politics Joe Walsh is a senior editor for digital politics at CBS News. Joe previously covered breaking news for Forbes and local news in Boston. Read Full Bio Joe Walsh , Tucker Reals Tucker Reals Editor Tucker Reals is CBSNews.com's foreign editor, based in the CBS News London bureau. He has worked for CBS News since 2006, prior to which he worked for The Associated Press in Washington, D.C., and London. Read Full Bio Tucker Reals Updated on: February 28, 2026 / 2:44 AM EST / CBS News Add CBS News on Google What to know about the strikes on Iran by U.S. and Israel The U.S. and Israel carried out military strikes on targets in Iran early Sunday after President Trump threatened the Iranian regime for weeks to make a new deal to rein in its nuclear program, and before that, threatened it over its violent crackdown on protesters in January. In the run-up to the strikes, the U.S. military moved over a dozen naval ships and aircraft toward the Middle East as the Trump administration waged a pressure campaign on Iran and engaged in indirect nuclear talks with Iranian officials. In January, Iran was gripped by the largest wave of nationwide protests in years, with demonstrators in hundreds of cities taking to the streets to push back against the hardline regime — leading to a brutal crackdown by security forces that is believed to have killed thousands of people. Mr. Trump previously ordered airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025. New Updates 6m ago U.S. launches "major combat operations in Iran," Trump says President Trump announced on Truth Social that the U.S. has begun launching "major combat operations in Iran" early Saturday morning. By Joe Walsh link copied 6m ago Trump's latest threats to Iran focused on its nuclear program, not protests President Trump's threats to Iran early this year were focused on the...
