US-Israel Strikes Iran: Panic, Exodus Amid Major Combat Operations

On Saturday, February 28, 2026, a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East occurred as the United States and Israel launched a series of joint military strikes targeting various locations across Iran. The operation, termed 'Operation Epic Fury' by the US military and 'Operation Roaring Lion' by Israel, aimed to dismantle Iran's military capabilities and nuclear facilities, with some reports suggesting an objective of fostering regime change. US President Donald Trump confirmed the start of 'major combat operations' and made an extraordinary appeal to the Iranian people to 'take over your government,' signaling a broader strategic goal beyond mere military strikes. Initial strikes reportedly targeted critical infrastructure, including military and nuclear-linked sites in Tehran, Isfahan, and Qom. Notably, the compound housing Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in downtown Tehran was among the apparent targets, although it remained unclear if he was present at the time. Explosions were reported in multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran, Tabriz, Qom, and Kermanshah, leading to visible smoke rising from the capital. The strikes immediately triggered widespread panic across Iran, particularly in Tehran. Witnesses reported intense fear and terror among residents. Numerous accounts corroborated a mass exodus from major cities, with long queues forming at gas stations as panic-buying exacerbated pre-existing fuel shortages. Roads leading out of Tehran, especially towards the Caspian Sea, experienced severe traffic jams as tens of thousands attempted to flee in search of safety. Concerns were also raised about Tehran's inadequate shelter infrastructure compared to Israeli cities. A major claim, reported by Israel and corroborated by other sources, was the killing of a high-ranking Iranian military figure. Mohammad Pakpour, identified as the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was reportedly killed in the strikes on Saturday. This event follows a pattern, as Pakpour himself had only been appointed in June 2025 after his predecessor, Hossein Salami, was also killed in an Israeli strike. His death, along with other senior Revolutionary Guards commanders and political officials, was described as a 'decapitation strike' aimed at disrupting Iran's military leadership and patronage networks. Iran swiftly condemned the attacks, calling them a 'gross violation of Iran's territorial integrity and national sovereignty' and vowed a 'decisive' and 'crushing response'. Shortly after the initial US-Israeli strikes, Iran launched retaliatory missile attacks towards Israel and against US military bases and interests across the Middle East. Sirens sounded in several areas across Israel, and reports of explosions emerged from Gulf states like Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, indicating the conflict's immediate regional spread. The EU expressed 'great concern' and called for 'maximum restraint,' while some European countries moved to withdraw non-essential personnel from the region. India's embassies in the UAE and Qatar urged Indian nationals to exercise caution and vigilance, reflecting the broader impact of the regional instability. The ongoing conflict transformed regional tensions into intense warfare, prompting a rapid reassessment of security arrangements by allied nations. The US had reportedly built up a significant military presence in the region in the weeks leading up to the attack. The strikes and subsequent retaliation highlighted the fragility of diplomatic efforts regarding Iran's nuclear program, which were reportedly underway even as the military action commenced. The long-term consequences are expected to severely affect the entire Middle East, increasing geopolitical risks and potentially impacting global trade, logistics, and energy markets.

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