A major conflict in the Middle East has escalated after the United States and Israel launched a series of airstrikes across Iran beginning on February 28, 2026. The attacks targeted military infrastructure, missile launch sites, and government facilities. The strikes are part of a broader effort by the U.S. and Israel to weaken Iran’s military capabilities and halt its nuclear program.
Trump said the goal of the operation is to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and “to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”
The bombing campaign has caused significant damage across several Iranian cities, including the capital of Tehran. According to reports, more than 1,200 people in Iran have been killed and thousands more injured since the start of the attacks. Many civilian buildings, including homes, commercial centers, and health facilities, have also been damaged.
One of the deadliest incidents occurred on February 28 when a missile struck a girls’ elementary school in Minab during the school day. Iranian officials reported that between 168 and 180 people, most of them schoolchildren, were killed in the strike. Investigations by international media suggest the attack was likely carried out by U.S. forces, although officials say the incident is still under review.
The conflict intensified further after the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike targeting senior Iranian leadership in Tehran. His death has created political uncertainty inside the country while fighting continues.
Iran has responded with retaliatory missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. military bases and other locations in the Middle East, including sites in Gulf countries. The violence has increased tensions throughout the region and raised concerns about the possibility of a wider war.
According to the United Nations human rights office of high commission, article “Iran: UN experts call for de-escalation and accountability.”The experts called for the immediate cessation of fighting. “Any path forward must be grounded in the rule of law, the will of the Iranian people, and full accountability for the violation of international law by all parties,” they said. “The rights, safety, and voices of the Iranian people must be placed at the centre of efforts to end this crisis, without external interference.”
International organizations, including the United Nations, have called for an immediate de-escalation of the conflict and urged all sides to protect civilians as the situation continues to develop.