Did We Bomb Iran Last Night? Yes — Operation Epic Fury Is Still Active Right Now

To answer directly: yes. The United States and Israel began bombing Iran not last night but this morning — Saturday, February 28, 2026 — and the strikes are still ongoing as of right now. President Trump confirmed "major combat operations" in an eight-minute video posted to Truth Social earlier today ET. Here is a full, clear breakdown of everything that has happened so far.

When Did the US Start Bombing Iran? Early Saturday Morning ET

The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran as President Trump announced "major combat operations" on Saturday, vowing to decimate Tehran's military and fuel a change in government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint attack would last "as long as needed," unleashing a conflict that threatens to engulf the region.

Unlike the last time the US and Israel struck Iran in June 2025, these strikes began in daylight early Saturday morning — the first day of the work week in Iran — as millions of Iranians went to work or school. Whereas the June strikes were over within a few hours, sources told CNN that the US military is this time planning for several days of attacks. This is not a one-night operation. It is a multiday campaign.

What Did the US Actually Bomb in Iran?

Israel targeted Iranian political and military leaders, two US officials told NBC News, while the US aimed to take out Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs. Several missiles struck University Street and the Jomhouri area in Tehran. Smoke was seen rising in the city. Iran's semiofficial Tasnim News Agency reported explosions in Tehran's northern Seyyed Khandan area. Other Iranian media reported attacks nationwide, including in the western Ilam province.

Satellite imagery from Airbus showed black smoke rising from the compound of Iran's supreme leader in Tehran. Damage seen in the image appears to show that several buildings in the compound were hit by strikes. Explosions were also reported in multiple other Iranian cities, including Isfahan and Qom. Khamenei's home was among the first strike targets — the most direct targeting of Iran's supreme leader ever attempted.

Did We Kill Khamenei?

A source involved in the Israeli strikes told CBS News that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were among the targets of the first round of strikes. According to the Associated Press, the first strikes appeared to target Khamenei's home in downtown Tehran.

Iranian state media quickly responded, claiming both Khamenei and the president were safe. It is unclear if Khamenei was in the compound at the time of the strikes. No independent confirmation of either leader's status has been verified as of Saturday morning ET. The White House has not confirmed or denied targeting Iran's leadership directly.

What Has Iran Done in Response?

Iran responded by firing missiles at US bases across the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, as well as at Israel, sending ripples across the entire region. Iran struck back with missiles aimed at northern Israel and at US military bases in the Middle East, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. One civilian was killed by debris in Abu Dhabi, the UAE's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain was struck, and airspace across the entire Gulf region is now closed.

Iran's foreign minister called the school strike in southern Iran — which killed at least 40 children — a war crime, warning that "dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone. These crimes against the Iranian people will not go unanswered."

What Did Trump Say About the Bombing of Iran?

Trump stated: "The United States military is undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. We're going to annihilate their navy."

Trump also called on the Iranian people to overthrow their government once the bombing campaign ends, saying: "The hour of your freedom is at hand. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations." No formal declaration of war has been submitted to Congress, triggering immediate outrage from Democratic senators.

Is Congress Pushing Back on the Iran Bombing?

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine denounced the Iran strikes as "dangerous, unnecessary, and idiotic," calling the strikes a "colossal mistake" and warning he prays they "do not cost our sons and daughters in uniform and at embassies throughout the region their lives." Kaine called for the Senate to immediately return to session to vote on a War Powers Resolution to block further hostilities without congressional approval.

Finland's President Alexander Stubb said the US is largely operating outside traditional international law, noting: "Usually, justification for these types of attacks has been sought either from the UN or at least from allies. Now, there has not been much asked about this." French President Emmanuel Macron declared the conflict carries "grave consequences for international peace and security." The bombing of Iran is now the defining global news event of 2026 — and it is still happening in real time.