President Donald Trump announced on social media on February 27, 2026, that the U.S. had begun "major combat operations in Iran." The announcement came as the U.S. and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran, with the first apparent attack occurring near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital. Roads to Khamenei's compound in downtown Tehran were closed as other blasts rang out across the city, while neighboring Iraq closed its airspace. Targets in the campaign included Iran’s military, symbols of government, and intelligence facilities. It was not immediately clear whether Khamenei, 86, was in his offices at the time, as he had not been seen publicly in days amid rising tensions with the U.S. Trump said the operations were aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and missile development, which could threaten U.S. territory. The strikes also coincided with the U.S. assembling a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to pressure Iran into negotiations. Iran had previously warned that American military personnel and bases across the region would be considered targets.
On January 27, 2026, President Trump set a “red line” warning to Iranian authorities not to kill their own citizens during mass protests. U.S. intelligence and official remarks later cited estimates that tens of thousands of people were killed in the Iranian government’s deadly suppression of demonstrators, though Tehran has disputed that number and released much lower official counts.
The International Atomic Energy Agency cannot verify whether Iran has suspended "all enrichment-related activities," according to a confidential IAEA report seen by the Associated Press on February, 27. The report states that the agency does not know the location, size, or composition of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile. Iran had over 400 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% before the June 2025 Israel-Iran War. The IAEA has observed "regular vehicular activity" around the entrance to the Esfahan Nuclear Technology Center, were at least part of Iran’s enriched uranium is reportedly stored. Iran has also reportedly covered the anti-drone cage at the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant at Natanz with panels, which analysts said indicates attempts to explore the rubble discreetly. Additionally, U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated, that evidence exists showing Iran is attempting to rebuild its nuclear weapons program. Vance met with Omani Foreign Affairs Minister al Bususaidi in Washington, D.C., on February, 27.
Historical Context: Since 1979, U.S. officials attribute the deaths of over 600 American service members to Iranian backed groups, including 241 killed in the 1983 Beirut Bombing.