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This map of Iran shows the points where air strikes against Iranian military and government installations have been concentrated since Saturday morning.

Washington DC, Feb.28 (DPnet).– Operation Thunderlion commenced at dawn this Saturday, with large-scale military operations against Iran conducted by the US and Israel. Massive bombings targeted Iranian military installations at five locations across the country, as well as government centers in Tehran. Reports indicate heavy shelling and smoke columns resulting from Israeli airstrikes that started at 8:15 AM 

Meanwhlile, Iran is launching missile attacks against American bases throughout the Middle East region, bombing Jerusalem and several other targets on Israeli territory, as well as US bases in the neighboring Gulf countries, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, which are on high alert after being hit by Iranian missiles aimed at those bases, but are not actively participating in the operations. Almost all Iranian missiles and drones are being intercepted by the air defense shield of Israel and American bases.

President Donald Trump has confirmed the start of "major combat operations" aimed at destroying missile capabilities, nuclear facilities, and the Iranian Navy to eliminate imminent threats. He stressed that Iran can never have nuclear weapons or long-range missile delivery systems, and called on the population to rise up against the regime: to "take charge of their fate."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced this joint operation with the US aimed at attacking strategic targets in Iran, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the Iranian President. In addition, the Israeli military claimed to have attacked several meetings of Iranian officials in Tehran during their joint operation with the US. "This morning’s attack took place simultaneously at several locations in Tehran, where senior political and security officials were gathered," the Israeli military said in a statement. The text adds that the army is currently assessing the attack results and preparing on multiple fronts in case the campaign extends to other operational theaters.

The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting this Saturday afternoon to address the situation. Secretary-General António Guterres declared himself "gravely alarmed" by the use of force, while High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that missiles will not resolve differences and only cause suffering. Meanwhile, Ambassadors from the member countries of the European Union (EU) have been summoned to an extraordinary meeting on Sunday. 

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his support for the US action, arguing the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and cease its support of militant groups. For its part, the British government has declared that it maintains a strategic alignment with the operation to "cripple Iran’s nuclear program." 

On the contrary, President Emmanuel Macron has warned that this escalation is "dangerous for all" and must stop immediately. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, in turn, rejected unilateral US-Israeli military action in Iran because it "contributes to a more uncertain and hostile international order" and called for "de-escalation and dialogue." In his social network account X, the Spanish chief executive also rejected the actions of the Iranian regime and the Revolutionary Guard. "We cannot afford another prolonged and devastating war in the Middle East," he said.

On the other side of the equation, the Kremlin and China’s foreign ministry have described it as a "highly dangerous adventure" and expressed their "serious concern" about the offensive against Iran and facilities "under IAEA safeguards."

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, told NBC this morning that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and all senior officials are alive after the attacks from the United States and Israel. Ayatollah Khamenei is alive and "all high-ranking officers are alive, as far as I know" he assured. In his interview, Araqchi also said that his country is interested "in de-escalation" and pointed out that the retaliatory attacks are directed at US bases in the Persian Gulf, not the countries hosting them.