The rapid developments in the morning of February 28th put the Middle East at risk of a serious military escalation.
According to two US officials revealed to CNN, on the morning of February 28, US troops were carrying out attacks on Iran. An official described this as "not a small airstrike", and said the operation is still ongoing. However, details about specific targets and the level of Washington's involvement have not been released.
Earlier, Israel confirmed that it had launched a "coercive attack" on Iran on the same morning. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the operation was launched because Tel Aviv assessed that the threat from Iran was serious.
Israeli sources told CNN that Israel's strike was coordinated with the US. However, it is still unclear whether this is a completely Israeli-led operation or the direct participation of US forces in the airstrikes.
According to Israel, the target of the attack is Iran's ballistic missiles and missile launchers - equipment that Tel Aviv considers a direct strategic threat to national security. Israel has long warned that it will not allow Iran to expand its long-range missile attack capabilities.
Immediately after the operation was launched, the Israeli government declared a state of emergency nationwide. The reason given was the possibility that Iran would retaliate with drones and ballistic missiles.
The Israeli Internal Front Command requires people nationwide to only perform essential activities. New regulations prohibit mass gatherings, temporarily suspend activities at workplaces and close schools. Some special areas classified as "exceptions" are still allowed to operate.
At the same time, the Israeli Ministry of Transport announced the closure of airspace from the morning of February 28, immediately after attacks on Iran were carried out. This move shows that Tel Aviv is preparing for a direct military response scenario from Tehran.
Currently, Iran has not issued an official statement on the scale of damage as well as specific responses. However, the joint participation or coordination of both the US and Israel in this military campaign may cause regional tensions to escalate rapidly.
Observers believe that if Iran actually deploys retaliation with missiles or unmanned aerial vehicles as Israel fears, the spiral of retaliatory retaliation may push the Middle East into a new period of instability, with unpredictable consequences for regional and global security.
