Tokyo International News Agency

Today, Israel announced it had carried out a "preemptive strike" against Iran, with subsequent confirmation of US participation. In response, Iran immediately launched retaliatory attacks targeting US and Israeli-related facilities in Gulf states. In the UAE, fragments of an interceptor missile fell into a residential area, killing one civilian, rapidly intensifying tensions in the Middle East. Israeli Defense Minister Katz explained the action as a "preemptive strike" to eliminate threats to the nation. However, within the international community, particularly on social media, vigorous debate has erupted over the legality of this action under international law. Many point out that the UN Charter does not permit "preemptive strikes," and voices are rising for Japan to issue a message condemning Israel and the United States, given Japan's stated position of "aiming for the 'rule of law' through faithful adherence to international law."...

On February 28, 2026, the situation in the Middle East became extremely volatile. Reports are circulating globally that Israel and the United States have launched a large-scale 'preemptive strike' against Iran, with a series of explosions reported in the capital, Tehran. Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his social media that 'large-scale combat operations have commenced,' sending shockwaves worldwide. In response, Iran is reported to have launched ballistic missiles toward a U.S. Navy logistics facility in Bahrain, and the international community is on high alert for a potential escalation into World War III. According to reports, the attack appears to have targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, military installations, and key figures. The U.S. military is believed to have deployed substantial naval and air power, centered around the aircraft carriers USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln. Israel's Defense Minister also declared the operation a ...