2026 Israeli–United States strikes on Iran

[Mick West]

Article:

On 28 February 2026, Israel and the United States launched a joint attack on various targets in Iran. The operation, codenamed Roaring Lion (Hebrew: מִבְצַע שְׁאָגַת הָאֲרִי, romanized: Mivtsá She'agát Ha'arí) by Israel, and Operation Epic Fury by the United States Department of Defense, began with a series of strikes against locations in Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. Explosions were observed as Israeli defense minister Israel Katz confirmed an attack by the Israel Defense Forces.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States had launched strikes on Iran alongside Israel, declaring that the objective was to destroy Iran's missile and military capabilities, prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, and ultimately topple the regime. He called on members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to lay down their arms in exchange for immunity, warning that refusal would mean "certain death".[26]

The initial attacks targeted key officials, military commanders, and facilities, including the compound of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which satellite images show was heavily damaged or destroyed. Khamenei is reportedly cut off from contact.[28] It was also reported that Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani was killed.

In retaliation, Iran launched dozens of ballistic missiles throughout the Persian Gulf and beyond, targeting Israel and US military bases in Jordan, Syria, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Furthermore, the Houthis announced that they would resume attacks in the Red Sea.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Israeli%E2%80%93United_States_strikes_on_Iran

This is a general discussion thread for this current event.

It's a very dynamic situation, with a lot of "Fog of War", and spin from all sides. One of the more significant claims from Iran is that a girls school was hit, killing 50+ girls. That has the potential to shift world opinion on the strikes.

What's very unclear is how regime change will be achieved without troops on the ground, which is deeply unpopular in the US. The US took out Maduro in Venezuela with minimal casualties, but it's still the same regime there.

Conspiracy-theory related? I'm sure there will be lots.

 

[john.phil]

What's very unclear is how regime change will be achieved without troops on the ground

First step is the assassination of the Ayatolah in a surprise strike, for now unclear if it was successful. Then popular revolt, and in case it fails, the alternative is to maintain pressure until the Iranian regime comes to the negotiation table.

 

[Giddierone]

It amazes me that Ukraine being invaded by Russia is seen by this administration as too far away to be bothered about, and no threat to America, while Iran somehow poses an existential threat to American interests and the budget to deal with it is limitless. Make it make sense.

 

[Ravi]

Conspiracy-theory related? I'm sure there will be lots.

Inviting a lot of speculation now, is that a good idea, Mick?
I am not going to enjoy this forum much more if we keep on discussing politics over interesting debunk stuff.
Just my opinion.

A little more explanatory: for me this forum is a kinda "escape" from the insane world around me. A kind of place to clear the mind so to say. Not a place to absorb even more crap crazyness.

 

[MapperGuy]

Looked through the videos being posted online of missiles (ballistic and cruise) both incoming and outgoing.

People being exposed to these videos are sometimes asking questions about what they are seeing. So more people are being exposed to video that might, under other circumstances might be mistaken for UFO's. For example different exhaust trails being left behind, which change in character as the missile leaves the atmosphere, or pass from within the Earth's shaddow into the sunlight. One was dark for the early part of the missiles flight, then became white at higher altitude, and became much broader leaving the atmosphere, all of which was described by one poster in response to anothers question. A learning experience for some.

 

[john.phil]

For example different exhaust trails being left behind, which change in character as the missile leaves the atmosphere, or pass from within the Earth's shaddow into the sunlight. One was dark for the early part of the missiles flight, then became white at higher altitude, and became much broader leaving the atmosphere,

Any links to share for this particular phenomenon?

 

[Mick West]

Inviting a lot of speculation now, is that a good idea, Mick?

Just getting ready. Any large event like this will have a lot of conspiracy theories. It helps to pay attention at the start.

 

[Mick West]

First step is the assassination of the Ayatolah in a surprise strike, for now unclear if it was successful.

Article:

Iran's militant and unyielding supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled the Islamic Republic for more than three decades and oversaw an era of harsh internal repression and confrontation with the United States and Israel, has died following the Israeli strike in Tehran, as his compound was reduced to rubble, a senior Israeli official told Fox News Digital.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/irans-supreme-leader-ali-khamenei-dead-after-idf-strike-hits-tehran-compound-israeli-source-confirms

Not fully confirmed, but seems likely.

 

[MapperGuy]

Any links to share for this particular phenomenon?

This is the one I was thinking of.

Iran Missile Launch

 

[JMartJr]

Then popular revolt, and in case it fails, the alternative is to maintain pressure until the Iranian regime comes to the negotiation table.

My impression was that they were already at the negotiating table, that negotiations were in progress.

 

[john.phil]

My impression was that they were already at the negotiating table, that negotiations were in progress.

Iran was too strong at the table.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump agreed "additional talks" would take place, but reiterated his restlessness over the absence of a deal.

"I'm not happy with the fact that they are not willing to give us what we have to have," he told reporters as he left the White House for Texas. "I'm not thrilled with that, we'll see what happens."

source: https://time.com/7381568/united-states-iran-war-fears-nuclear-weapons-sanctions-talks/

 

[tjskep]

Iranian leader killed in airstrike on compound

BBC says trump reported his death after Benjamin netanyahu was shown a picture of his body in rubble. If this is true what happens now?

 

[john.phil]

Iranian leader killed in airstrike on compound

BBC says trump reported his death after Benjamin netanyahu was shown a picture of his body in rubble. If this is true what happens now?

Now the Iranian regime will most likely deny the death of their leader to gain time and to not appear weakened. Then, eventually, they're going to announce the death and appoint a replacement who will be kept hidden in a safe place. However, Trump made this statement:

This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country. We are hearing that many of their IRGC, Military, and other Security and Police Forces, no longer want to fight, and are looking for Immunity from us. As I said last night, "Now they can have Immunity, later they only get Death!"

source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn5ge95q6y7t

So, the expectation is for the Iranian people to come to the streets once the air strikes have subdued. The statement that the IRGC and other forces do not want to fight anymore is for encouraging people to take to the streets. The US is currently broadcasting in Persian over Iran to coordinate with the Iranian people.

 

[deirdre]

Just getting ready. Any large event like this will have a lot of conspiracy theories. It helps to pay attention at the start.

and this unbiased forum is the perfect place to tackle those. <that's sarcasm. Don't you have a quieter place y'all can keep track of this?

 

[Ann K]

I am not going to enjoy this forum much more if we keep on discussing politics over interesting debunk stuff.

Be selective in your reading. There's an option to ignore a thread if you choose.

 

[john.phil]

Looked through the videos being posted online of missiles (ballistic and cruise) both incoming and outgoing.

People being exposed to these videos are sometimes asking questions about what they are seeing. So more people are being exposed to video that might, under other circumstances might be mistaken for UFO's.

Probably, with so many Space X launches, this type of footage would not impress anymore, or would be quickly debunked, or explained by the alien visitation believers themselves.

Source: Post #9