18 Facts on US Attack on Iran: Arab War Breaks Out, Explosions in Bahrain-Saudi Arabia
The United States officially launched an attack on Iran on Saturday, 28 February 2026, following weeks of escalating tensions between the two nations.
The US President continued to threaten Iran regarding its nuclear development programme, despite Tehran denying the weapons purpose of its nuclear activities. The President stated that if Iran did not agree to a deal, the US would launch strikes. Although final discussions took place on Thursday, no agreement was reached. Today, Israel launched a sudden attack, followed by the US striking Iran.
The following are 18 key facts compiled by CNBC Indonesia from various sources:
1. Israeli Preliminary Attack on Iran
Israel’s Ministry of Defence announced the launch of a “preliminary attack” against Iran on Saturday. “The State of Israel has launched a preliminary attack against Iran. Israeli Defence Minister Katz has declared a special state of emergency nationwide,” the ministry stated, according to AFP. Shortly thereafter, explosions were heard in several Iranian cities, following blasts that struck the capital Tehran. The latest explosions were reported in the central city of Isfahan, the holy city of Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah in the western part of the country. “Israel’s attack on Iran targeted regime and military sites including ballistic missiles,” according to Israeli officials cited by public broadcaster Kan.
2. US Attack on Iran
Following Israel’s strikes, the US also launched attacks. Several media outlets quoted American officials reporting that Washington had initiated strikes against Iran in a joint operation with Israel. “The US has launched a massive combat operation against Iran,” stated the US President. The stated aim was to “eliminate an imminent threat.”
3. Iran Confirms Israeli Aggression, Reports Khamenei’s Condition
Iranian state television confirmed what it described as “aerial aggression by the Zionist regime” on Saturday, following a series of explosions in Tehran. The Fars news agency reported “seven missile impacts reported in the Keshvardoost and Pasteur districts” in Tehran, where Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei resides.
4. US Embassies in Qatar and Bahrain Issue Shelter Orders
The US embassies in Qatar and Bahrain ordered their staff to seek shelter on Saturday. The embassies advised US citizens to do the same after the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran. The embassies stated in separate announcements that they were “implementing shelter-in-place orders for all personnel” and urged all American citizens to “seek a safe location within your residence or another secure building” pending further notice.
5. Condition of Iran’s President
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is “safe and healthy,” according to Iranian state media on Saturday, following the US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic. “President Masoud Pezeshkian is safe and healthy and is experiencing no problems,” reported the IRNA news agency, along with the Mehr and ISNA news agencies.
6. Jerusalem Shutdown
The Jerusalem municipal government ordered schools and workplaces to close on Saturday following Israel’s launch of strikes against its archenemy Iran. Officials stated the closure would remain in effect until Monday. “In accordance with a situational assessment by the Home Front Command and the launch of the preliminary attack against Iran, it has been decided to change guidelines and transition from full activity to essential activity across the country,” the statement read. “There will be no educational activities, no gatherings, and no commuting to work, except for workers designated as essential workers. This policy applies from Saturday at 08:00 until Monday at 20:00,” the announcement stated.
7. Explosions Heard in Jerusalem
Multiple explosions were reported heard in Jerusalem on Saturday. This followed air raid sirens in the city after Israeli military stated it had detected a series of missiles launched from Iran. Israel’s emergency services, Magen David Adom (MDA), said it had not yet received reports of missile impacts. However, residents were asked to follow all instructions from authorities. “A series of additional missiles have been launched in the direction of the State of Israel. Residents are requested to continue following instructions from the Home Front Command; residents are requested to remain in safe locations pending official notification,” the military stated.
8. Operation Epic Fury
The United States designated the massive strikes against Iranian military targets as “Operation Epic Fury”. The Department of Defence announced the name in a social media post featuring the American flag emoji, though it provided no further details about the strikes at that time. The US President stated that American forces targeted Tehran’s navy and missile systems and urged Iranian citizens to overthrow their government.
9. Iran’s Internet Access Cut Off
Internet access in Iran was severed on Saturday as Israel and the US launched strikes against the Islamic Republic, according to the Netblocks monitoring organisation. “Network data shows Iran is now in the midst of a near-total internet blackout,” Netblocks stated on social media. “The measure is consistent with actions used during last year’s war with Israel,” it noted.