U.S.-Iran strikes live updates: Explosions heard as retaliation targets U.S. military bases
#Iran strikes #Trump military action #Middle East conflict #U.S.-Iran relations #Congressional war powers #Flight disruptions #Israel involvement #Political reactions
📌 Key Takeaways
- U.S. and Israel launched major combat operations in Iran on February 28, 2026
- Iranian forces launched counterattacks with explosions heard across the Middle East
- Political reactions were mixed, with Democrats questioning constitutionality while Republicans supported the action
- Trump urged Iranians to overthrow their government following the strikes
- Airlines suspended flights to Middle East destinations due to the conflict
📖 Full Retelling
President Donald Trump confirmed on February 28, 2026, that the U.S. and Israel launched 'major combat operations' in Iran, prompting counterattacks from Iranian forces that resulted in explosions heard across key Middle Eastern cities including Jerusalem, as the administration cited Iran's nuclear program, missile development, and alleged sponsorship of terrorism as justification for the military action. The strikes triggered immediate political reactions in Washington, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune commending Trump for taking action to thwart Iranian threats, while Democratic senators including Mark Warner and Tim Kaine raised constitutional concerns about the president's authority to launch such operations without congressional approval. In an eight-minute address posted to social media, Trump directly urged Iranians to 'take over your government' after the military operations concluded, telling them 'the hour of your freedom is at hand' while warning them to stay sheltered as bombs would be dropping everywhere. The conflict also had immediate practical consequences for international air travel, with major carriers including Emirates, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines suspending flights to Middle East destinations due to airspace closures and security concerns, forcing some flights to return to origin airports or divert to alternative locations.
🏷️ Themes
Military Conflict, International Relations, U.S. Politics, Air Travel Disruption
📚 Related People & Topics
List of modern conflicts in the Middle East
List of Middle Eastern conflicts since 1914
This is a list of modern conflicts ensuing in the geographic and political region known as the Middle East. The "Middle East" is traditionally defined as the Fertile Crescent (Mesopotamia), Levant, and Egypt and neighboring areas of Arabia, Anatolia and Iran. It currently encompasses the area from E...
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Connections for List of modern conflicts in the Middle East:
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John Healey
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Nuclear program of Iran
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Ali Khamenei
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Civil defense siren
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Joint Chiefs of Staff
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Original Source
Explosions were also heard in key cities around the Middle East, including Jerusalem as Iran launched counterattacks. 14 Min Ago GOP, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman cheer Trump’s Iran attack U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) walks to the U.S. Capitol building on the inauguration day of Donald Trump's second presidential term in Washington, U.S. January 20, 2025. Elizabeth Frantz | Reuters While most Democrats who have weighed in are questioning the constitutionality of Trump's attack on Iran, Sen. John Fetterman , D-Pa., joined Republicans in cheering it. "Operation Epic Fury. President Trump has been willing to do what's right and necessary to produce real peace in the region. God bless the United States , our great military, and Israel," Fetterman, often a dissenting voice within the Democratic caucus, posted to X . Sen. Tom Cotton , R-Ark, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, posted on X that "the butcher's bill has finally come due for the ayatollahs," referring to the Supreme Leader of Iran . "A nuclear-weapons program. Thousands of missiles. State sponsorship of terror. Iran has waged war against the U.S. for 47 years: the hostage crisis, the Beirut Marine barracks, Khobar Towers, roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan that killed or maimed thousands of American soldiers, the attempted assassination of President Trump," Cotton wrote. Senate Majority Leader John Thune , R-S.D., in a statement on Saturday thanked Secretary of State Marco Rubio "for providing updates on these issues throughout the week" and said he looked forward to the administration briefing all senators on the attack. "Despite the dogged efforts of the president and his administration, the Iranian regime has refused the diplomatic off-ramps that would peacefully resolve these national security concerns. I commend President Trump for taking action to thwart these threats," Thune said. — Justin Papp 16 Min Ago Trump urges Iranians to 'take over your government' in early morning add...
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