February 28, 2026: Middle East on Brink of All-Out War as US-Israel Attack Iran, Iran Retaliates

On February 28, 2026, the situation in the Middle East plunged into an immediate crisis. The Israeli military announced that the United States and Israeli forces had launched a large-scale military attack on Iran, to which Iran retaliated by firing missiles at Israel. The situation is heightening concerns of an all-out war.

The Israeli military announced that it confirmed multiple missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel shortly after 10:00 AM JST (5:00 PM IST) on the 28th. Reports followed around 5:30 PM IST of further missile launches and interceptions, strengthening the view that these were retaliatory attacks by Iran. In response, the Iranian military reportedly scrambled over 350 fighter jets, and its missile units are preparing for wave attacks in various locations.

This conflict was triggered by a pre-emptive strike by US and Israeli forces on Iran. The US-Israel coalition reportedly targeted dozens of military objectives within Iranian territory, including nuclear-related facilities (such as parts of Natanz and Fordow underground sites), ballistic missile bases, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) headquarters, and critical infrastructure near Tehran. President Trump had repeatedly hinted at the possibility of military action if Iran did not concede in nuclear development negotiations, stating that this attack would “eliminate threats and protect American citizens.” Israeli Defense Minister Katz also explained it as “eliminating threats to the Jewish state.”

However, questions are also being raised about the legitimacy of this military action. Critics argue that “peace through strength” is an illusion and cannot justify the use of force. Some also view the developments as unfolding exactly as the United States intended, while others describe it as a “reckless act by mad leaders,” referring to Presidents Trump and Netanyahu, with many expressing fears of it escalating into World War III.

In response to the escalating situation, Israel has implemented strict precautions across the country in anticipation of retaliatory attacks from Iran, including the closure of all schools, instructions for citizens to work from home, and a ban on public gatherings. The conflict's impact has also extended to the aviation industry, with Japan Airlines announcing the cancellation of its regular service between Haneda Airport and Doha, the capital of Qatar in the Middle East. Furthermore, widespread internet outages have been reported in Iran, suggesting ongoing information control.

The actions of neighboring countries are also under scrutiny. Jordan has announced its participation to protect Iranian airspace, though its specific stance – whether supporting Israel or Iran – remains unclear. Some analysts suggest that US and Israeli forces are conducting a “highly challenging operation,” targeting only political figures, armed organizations, and weapons factories, without involving civilians. However, concerns are widespread that if the conflict intensifies, an increase in civilian casualties will be unavoidable.

Given that the United States, a nuclear-armed power, is also participating in the military operation, the situation in the Middle East is extremely tense, and its future developments are inevitably expected to have a significant global impact.

The Context

The current crisis on February 28, 2026, stems from decades of geopolitical tension in the Middle East, primarily between Iran and its regional adversaries, Israel and the United States. A central point of contention has been Iran's nuclear program, which Israel and the US suspect aims to develop nuclear weapons, despite Iran's claims of peaceful purposes. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is a powerful military force within Iran, playing a significant role in both domestic security and regional influence, often clashing with US interests and Israeli security concerns. Former US President Donald Trump, mentioned in the article, had consistently adopted a hawkish stance towards Iran, withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018 and imposing stringent sanctions, repeatedly signaling a willingness for military intervention if Iran did not comply with demands regarding its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. This long-standing antagonism, coupled with mutual distrust and proxy conflicts across the region, has created a volatile environment where pre-emptive strikes and retaliatory actions can rapidly escalate into a broader conflict, raising fears of a wider war involving major global powers.