Iran ; explosions across Tehran following Israeli and US strikes, 28 February 2026

[Wishbone]

We still have absolutely no idea who did that.

It could have been us, Israel, or Iran accidentally.

What is strange is that Iran hasn’t played this up more, showing missile debris like we normally see when these claims are made.

I've seen plenty of discussion on it and can't even accuse Iran of something like that. It was either the US or IS as far as I can determine. Intentional or not, who knows, war is hell.

 

[Snoopster]

My personal take....I hate that the US and Israel attacked Iran. Do I like the Iranian regime? Heck no!!! Do I want the Iranian people to be less repressed? Definitely!! But so many 'regime-change' missions in the past have failed miserably.

But why start a military action now? How will it help and is it legal under international law?
It seems to me that the US has been flouting international law recently (attacking Venezuelan ships and kidnapping their president despite no move against the US by Venezuela).

And then the US admin threatens any country who supplies oil to Cuba. Cuba couldn't attack another country if it wanted to. This is only hurting the Cuban people who are now starving due to economic collapse.

Now the attack on Iran. What was the 'imminent threat' to the US? The US admin said just 8 months ago, that they had decimated Iran's nuclear capabilities and they wouldn't be able to rebuild them for many, many years to come. So what gives?

I'm just trying to understand what is going on. And why.

 

[MassGuy]

I've seen plenty of discussion on it and can't even accuse Iran of something like that. It was either the US or IS as far as I can determine. Intentional or not, who knows, war is hell.

That doesn’t make any sense. Anti aircraft missiles don’t always explode in the air, and they fall back to the ground with explosives still intact.

That area had those systems.

It is a fact that can happen, and has happened countless times.

I’d lean more towards an off target us or Israeli projectile, but Iran accidentally doing that themselves is very much in play.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/pauliddon/2022/11/17/s-300-incident-in-poland-is-a-reminder-of-the-dangers-sam-missiles-can-pose-to-ground-targets/

 

[SouthAussie]

We still have absolutely no idea who did that.

It could have been us, Israel, or Iran accidentally.

What is strange is that Iran hasn’t played this up more, showing missile debris like we normally see when these claims are made.

I think it is likely that the school was 'collateral damage' imo


The school building appears to be adjacent to an Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps barracks.

Capt Tim Hawkins, the spokesperson for US Central Command, said the US was “aware of reports concerning civilian harm resulting from ongoing military operations. We take these reports seriously and are looking into them”.

Death toll from school bombing in southern Iran reportedly rises to 165

Strike on girls’ elementary school in south of Iran has killed 148 people and injured 95 others, according to Iran state media

www.theguardian.com

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ssile-hits-elementary-school-in-southern-iran

 

[SouthAussie]

"The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) is reporting that at least 85 civilians and 11 military personnel have been killed following the joint US-Israeli strike in Iran in the last 24 hours.

The Washington, DC-based group said the latest figures take the total civilian death toll to at least 742 since the US-Israeli attack began on February 28.

These include 176 children, it added.

HRANA said the US-Israeli attacks hit a range of locations and infrastructure on Monday, including several military bases, two residential areas, and Shahid Bahonar Pier in Bandar Abbas."

US bases and embassies attacked as Iran ratchets up Gulf strikes

Iran strikes energy infrastructure across the Gulf as Revolutionary Guard announces closure of Strait of Hormuz.

www.aljazeera.com

 

[browneyes]

I’ve been following this closely but have not heard any confirmation about hitting a possible nuclear threat in Iran. I would think this strategic attack would focus on that first. Has anyone seen that confirmation yet? IMHO Thanks in advance.

 

[Cryptic]

Iraq had opposition before the war was even started. Iran only has protesters.

Iran has armed ethnic separatist groups. They are just not ethnic Iranians. Rather, they are Kurds, Balochis, and a series of other smaller groups.

Though the disputes are ethnic / political, the fact that many minority groups in Iran are Sunni Muslims and the government is Shia muslim probably does not help either.

 

[ab01]

I can't understand how the general public doesn't understand that the reason for the Attack on the Iran regime was that it was at one of it's weakest points in 50 years.

This is a narrow window done with great calculation IMO.

This was not some distraction, This was an opportunity to make the middle east and America a safer place for generations to come.

In one night offenses were able to wipe out massive weapon stockpiles and extremely notable leaders. It's been a highly successful mission and a chance for Iran to help themselves when all the dust settles.

The atrocities that the Iran government was going to continue to commit on their own citizens was not going to stop unless someone stopped them. It is a terrorist organization via proxies Hezbollah, Hamas etc.

It needed to be stopped and the time was now.

Regimes, like this aren't stopped by thoughts and prayers and political hand holding, they only understand bullets and bombs and death. They would stop at nothing unless someone stops them.

 

[MassGuy]

I’ve been following this closely but have not heard any confirmation about hitting a possible nuclear threat in Iran. I would think this strategic attack would focus on that first. Has anyone seen that confirmation yet? IMHO Thanks in advance.

It's coming from Iran, but it's not something they'd have reason to lie about. I'm a bit surprised they have started hitting them this early, unless they saw movement there.

Missile stockpiles, launchers, air defenses, radar systems, and other military targets you'd expect to be hit first. Nuclear sites aren't going anywhere. I'd love to know the reasoning.

Iran says Natanz nuclear site hit in US-Israeli strikes​

By Reuters
March 2, 20264:37 AM ESTUpdated 17 hours ago

VIENNA, March 2 (Reuters) - Iran's sprawling nuclear facility at Natanz was struck during U.S. and Israeli military operations against the Islamic Republic, Iran's ambassador to the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Monday.
"Again they attacked Iran's peaceful, safeguarded nuclear facilities yesterday," Reza Najafi told reporters at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation board of governors. Asked by Reuters which facilities were hit, he replied: "Natanz."

Iran says Natanz nuclear site hit in US-Israeli strikes

Iran's sprawling nuclear facility at Natanz was struck during U.S. and Israeli military operations against the Islamic Republic, Iran's ambassador to the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Monday.

www.reuters.com

 

[iamshadow21]

I’ve been following this closely but have not heard any confirmation about hitting a possible nuclear threat in Iran. I would think this strategic attack would focus on that first. Has anyone seen that confirmation yet? IMHO Thanks in advance.

It's ambiguous whether any nuclear facilities have been hit.

IAEA says no, but an envoy says Natanz was hit.

(Iran International is a UK based media organisation with possible links to Saudi Arabia, not Iran based state media.)

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603022493

MOO

 

[browneyes]

It's coming from Iran, but it's not something they'd have reason to lie about. I'm a bit surprised they have started hitting them this early, unless they saw movement there.

Missile stockpiles, launchers, air defenses, radar systems, and other military targets you'd expect to be hit first. Nuclear sites aren't going anywhere. I'd love to know the reasoning.

Iran says Natanz nuclear site hit in US-Israeli strikes​

By Reuters
March 2, 20264:37 AM ESTUpdated 17 hours ago

VIENNA, March 2 (Reuters) - Iran's sprawling nuclear facility at Natanz was struck during U.S. and Israeli military operations against the Islamic Republic, Iran's ambassador to the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Monday.
"Again they attacked Iran's peaceful, safeguarded nuclear facilities yesterday," Reza Najafi told reporters at a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation board of governors. Asked by Reuters which facilities were hit, he replied: "Natanz."

Iran says Natanz nuclear site hit in US-Israeli strikes

Iran's sprawling nuclear facility at Natanz was struck during U.S. and Israeli military operations against the Islamic Republic, Iran's ambassador to the U.N. nuclear watchdog said on Monday.

www.reuters.com

Thank you!

 

[SouthAussie]

I’ve been following this closely but have not heard any confirmation about hitting a possible nuclear threat in Iran. I would think this strategic attack would focus on that first. Has anyone seen that confirmation yet? IMHO Thanks in advance.

I saw some satellite photos in a link that @iamshadow21 posted earlier.

It says "The complex is reportedly Iran’s second missile base housed in a silo and was also targeted by the US and Israel in June 2025."

The tunnels appear to have been bombed closed - there are craters nearby. But it may be more missile based than nuclear based.

Ships destroyed, buildings flattened — satellite images reveal damage across Iran

Satellite imagery is giving the world some insight into the scale of destruction inside Iran and across the region after a weekend of heavy military bombardments by the US, Israel and Iran.

www.abc.net.au

 

[MassGuy]

Thank you!

And this from the BBC:

https://twitter.com/x/status/2028601062878277919

 

[Momoffourboys]

Witkoff: Iran negotiators boasted of having enough enriched uranium to build 11 nuclear bombs​

…

“We went in there and tried to make a fair deal with them, and it was very, very clear that it was going to be impossible — probably by the end of the second meeting, but we then went back for the third meeting just to give it the last college try,” he continues.

“They wanted us to report positivity. It was not positive that meeting,” Witkoff says.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/witkoff-iran-negotiators-boasted-of-having-enough-enriched-uranium-to-build-11-nuclear-bombs/

 

[SouthAussie]

"Iran began limiting its enrichment-related activities and ceasing its work on heavy water-related projects under the internationally-agreed Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

However, following the USA’s withdrawal from the agreement in 2018, the country began enriching uranium again.

On 12 June 2025 the International Atomic Energy Agency formally declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations. On the same day, Israel launched a military operating targeting Iran's nuclear and military sites (see below).

In October 2025 Iran officially ended the 2015 JCPOA, declaring that all restrictions on its nuclear programme are now void."

Nuclear Power in Iran - World Nuclear Association

Following many years of construction, Iran's first nuclear power reactor started up in 2011. Two further large Russian-designed units are planned, the first of which commenced construction in November 2019. The country also has a major programme developing uranium enrichment, and this was...

world-nuclear.org

 

[NoSpoonFeeding]

I can't understand how the general public doesn't understand that the reason for the Attack on the Iran regime was that it was at one of it's weakest points in 50 years.

This is a narrow window done with great calculation IMO

Doing informal research with some friends/retired LEO's, Aerospace and history buffs, concerned about just this. Watching Youtube, TikTok, Facebook, Reddit, etc.
I'm pleasantly surprised at the number of people, all ages and backgrounds, speaking out and making this point. I didn't expect the history to be well known. Also, who could miss the many posts of Persians/Iranians telling the world why it was necessary now and as to anyone else's opinion, "take a seat".

 

[SouthAussie]

Witkoff: Iran negotiators boasted of having enough enriched uranium to build 11 nuclear bombs​

…

“We went in there and tried to make a fair deal with them, and it was very, very clear that it was going to be impossible — probably by the end of the second meeting, but we then went back for the third meeting just to give it the last college try,” he continues.

“They wanted us to report positivity. It was not positive that meeting,” Witkoff says.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/witkoff-iran-negotiators-boasted-of-having-enough-enriched-uranium-to-build-11-nuclear-bombs/

I don't know how they are going to get around the problem that Iran is uranium rich. They have their own mines.

Unless there is some kind of new non-proliferation agreement put in place, they can start mining again (once their focus is off the current war).

imo

Iran breaks ground for new uranium mine

A ceremony to mark the start of construction of a new uranium mining complex was held at Jang-e Sar in north-western Iran.;

world-nuclear-news.org

 

[Lebowski]

I can't understand how the general public doesn't understand that the reason for the Attack on the Iran regime was that it was at one of it's weakest points in 50 years.

This is a narrow window done with great calculation IMO.

This was not some distraction, This was an opportunity to make the middle east and America a safer place for generations to come.

In one night offenses were able to wipe out massive weapon stockpiles and extremely notable leaders. It's been a highly successful mission and a chance for Iran to help themselves when all the dust settles.

The atrocities that the Iran government was going to continue to commit on their own citizens was not going to stop unless someone stopped them. It is a terrorist organization via proxies Hezbollah, Hamas etc.

It needed to be stopped and the time was now.

Regimes, like this aren't stopped by thoughts and prayers and political hand holding, they only understand bullets and bombs and death. They would stop at nothing unless someone stops them.

I haven't thought it was a distraction. I'm sure trump thinks he's doing a good thing. also, there's no question iran's regime is pretty terrible and the world would be better without it.

as to the wisdom of this approach... I'm skeptical it will end well, but would be happy to be surprised.

not a fan of the further erosion of international norms, but I'm fatalistic about that anyway. it's barely a footnote to people anymore. why bother giving a crap?

 

[Amonet]

"The mission of Operation Epic Fury is laser-focused," Hegseth said today during a briefing at the Pentagon. "Destroy Iranian offensive missiles, destroy Iranian missile production, destroy their navy and other security infrastructure, and they will never have nuclear weapons."

https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4418826/hegseth-says-epic-fury-goals-in-iran-are-laser-focused/

Snipped by me for focus,

This much seems reasonable to me. It doesn't seem to have such political Trump-focused aims. It doesn't even mention regime change, though I think that is a reasonable part of the aims inasmuch as it's the choices of the current regime, their decisions to facilitate terrorism that have made their country a target.

I'm trying to sort of ignore the lousy messaging coming from the president and the politics of him and his administration and look at it purely from the perspective of perceiving what Hegseth has said here to be the main goals of the operation/war. And in this sense I would see all the years through different presidents and administrations as attempts to avoid this, but with the actions of Iran and their subsidiary terrorist groups over the past 2 years or so, I can see that it's reached a point where Iran can't be trusted to stop supporting terrorist groups, and I can agree that waiting until after they have working nukes is not the best option. Imagine an Iran that says you can't go after terrorist groups that we're supporting, because they're under our nuclear umbrella?

I don't know if better diplomacy could have changed this, I only see that it hasn't.

 

[SouthAussie]

"WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed Monday that Washington launched major strikes against Iran over the weekend because it received intelligence that its assets in the region would be targeted in response to an Israeli attack.

“The imminent threat was that we knew that if Iran was attacked — and we believed they would be attacked — they would immediately come after us,” Rubio said. “We were aware of Israeli intentions… and understood what that would mean for us and had to be prepared to act as a result of it.”

It was an extraordinary revelation that effectively suggested that the US had only struck Iran because Israel had decided to do so first, even though it is widely understood that any Israeli attack on Iran would only have taken place with Washington’s blessing."

Rubio reveals US launched strikes against Iran because of planned Israeli attack

Top diplomat says US understood its assets would be hit by Iran in retaliation for a preemptive Israeli strike, even though Jerusalem seen as unlikely to have acted without Trump's blessing

www.timesofisrael.com