Iran’s government is sending text messages to mobile subscribers about its military response to U.S. strikes in order to boost morale. “Iran’s response this time was faster, more devastating, and more extensive than the 12-day war,” one such message seen by The Wall Street Journal says.
“The Iranian armed forces launched a comprehensive response to U.S. and Israeli bases.”
Explosions rocked the Iranian capital of Tehran, and other cities, and traffic clogged roads as Iranians fled.
Sirens sounded across Israel on Saturday, and multiple explosions could be heard across the United Arab Emirates.
The U.S. and Israel plan to carry out several days of intensive attacks, people familiar with the matter said.
Israel called up 70,000 reservists.
A demonstrator holds a puppet depicting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hanging from a noose, as demonstrators gather in support of military action against the Iranian regime, following strikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, outside the Iranian embassy in London, Britain, February 28, 2026. REUTERS/Toby Melville
The strikes were preceded by a monthlong U.S. military buildup that followed a Trump pledge to come to the aid of protesters who challenged the regime at the beginning of January. The president had repeatedly warned Iran it could face military action if it failed to give up its nuclear program.
Smoke rises in the sky after reported Iranian missile attacks, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Manama, Bahrain, February 28, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Tankers diverted from the Strait of Hormuz and oil prices have been rising over fears of conflict.
Iran’s military said it had launched dozens of drones at Israel and intended to send more in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes, in a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB.
Earlier, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had said they had fired missiles at U.S. bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
Israelis are evacuated from a residential building damaged by shrapnel, after missiles were launched towards Israel from Iran following strikes by Israel and the U.S. on Iran, in Haifa, northern Israel, February 28, 2026. REUTERS/Rami Shlush.
