Updated February 28, 2026 at 7:00 PM CST
The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday after weeks of threats from President Trump over Iran's nuclear capabilities.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by an Israeli strike carried out with U.S. support. Iran has not confirmed Khamenei's death.
Here's what else you need to know about the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran:
Israel and the U.S. launched military strikes against Iran
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the goal of the joint U.S. Israeli strikes is to quote "remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran."
Netanyahu said in a video: "Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands."
A person briefed on the operation told NPR it was expected to last a few days, with Israel's military focusing on targeting Iran's missile program.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Saturday condemned the strikes by the U.S. and Israel, as well as the retaliatory strikes by Iran.
"We are witnessing a grave threat to international peace and security. Military action carries the risk of igniting a chain of events that no one can control in the most volatile region of the world," Guterres said during an emergency UN Security Council meeting. "Let me be clear: There is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes. Lasting peace can only be achieved through peaceful means, including genuine dialogue and negotiations."
Trump announced what he called "major combat operations"
President Trump announced what he called "major combat operations" that are "massive and ongoing" in Iran in a video posted to Truth Social at 2:30 a.m. ET. He said the objective was to "defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats" from Iran.
Attacks came after a week of U.S.-Iran negotiations over the country's nuclear program
A third round of indirect negotiations between Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner failed to produce a diplomatic solution on Thursday.
The Israel strikes targeted Khamenei and the Iranian president
President Trump announced the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei on social media Saturday, saying Khamenei could not avoid U.S. intelligence and surveillance. A source briefed on the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran told NPR earlier Saturday that an Israeli airstrike killed Khamenei.
The Israel strikes targeted Khamenei and the Iranian president, trying to assassinate them, a person briefed on the operation told NPR's Daniel Estrin. A person briefed on the matter told NPR that Israeli assessments are that Khamenei was hit. NPR was later told by a person briefed on the strike that Khamenei had died.
Trump, in his post confirming Khamenei's death, also said, "The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!"
Reports of civilian casualties
Iran's news agency IRNA said the U.S.-Israel strikes hit a girls school, killing at least 53 young female students and wounding dozens more.
Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, told NPR on Saturday it was aware of reports about civilians being harmed.
"We take these reports seriously and are looking into them," Hawkins said. "The protection of civilians is of utmost importance, and we will continue to take all precautions available to minimize the risk of unintended harm. Unlike Iran, we have never — and will never — target civilians."
The Iranian Red Crescent Society relief group said more than 200 people were killed in strikes across Iran.
Trump encourages overthrow
Trump encouraged innocent Iranians to "take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations" once what the Pentagon is calling "Operation Epic Fury" is over.
He previously said he was concerned about the Iranian regime's killing of protesters and has previously cited that as potential justification for U.S. strikes.
Iran's response
Iran's foreign ministry has called the airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel a "gross violation" of its national sovereignty, and vowed to respond decisively.
The UAE's Defense Ministry says Iranian ballistic missiles targeted the country, which hosts U.S. troops at several locations in the country
Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan have all been targeted by Iran. All of them have U.S. troops present.
U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet service center in Manama, Bahrain, was hit according to the government there. The other countries say the missiles were intercepted. The UAE says debris from a missile interception killed an Asian migrant worker. Loud booms have been heard over Dubai according to NPR's correspondent there.
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