Israel Strikes Tehran Near Khamenei Offices Amid U.S. Involvement in Escalating Nuclear Tensions – 2/28/2026, 8:29:23 AM

Israel has launched a preemptive strike on Iran’s capital Tehran near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s offices, with explosions reported and a state of emergency declared; the U.S. is jointly involved amid escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. [1][4]

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the attack as necessary “to remove threats,” occurring during daylight with smoke visible downtown; sirens sounded across Israel, airspace closed, and civil defense activated in anticipation of Iranian missile and drone retaliation.[1][4]

Iranian state television confirmed the blast near Khamenei’s offices, whose status remains unclear as he hasn’t appeared publicly amid U.S. tensions; witnesses in Tehran reported hearing explosions.[1]

This follows U.S. President Trump’s dissatisfaction with Iran nuclear talks, with a massive military buildup including F-22 jets in Israel, refueling aircraft in Saudi Arabia, and two carrier strike groups positioning nearby after a prior U.S.-involved war last June.[3][4]

Other notable U.S. and world developments include:
– Former President Bill Clinton testified before Congress on his Epstein ties, stating “I saw nothing and I did nothing wrong”; Trump commented he likes Clinton but dislikes the deposition.[3]
– Trump banned AI firm Anthropic from federal use after it refused Pentagon access to its tech.[3]
– U.S. military accidentally shot down a CBP drone near El Paso with a laser, prompting FAA airspace restrictions.[3]
– Train derailment in Milan, Italy, killed 2 people.[3]

These events reflect rapidly developing situations, primarily from breaking reports on February 28.[1][3][4]