★ IRAN

1. U.S. And Israel Kill Khamenei In Joint Strike Campaign

On February 28 at approximately 0700 GMT, Israel initiated military strikes inside Iran followed by U.S. confirmation of coordinated air and naval operations targeting missile infrastructure, air defense systems, naval assets, intelligence facilities, and senior leadership locations, as President Trump announced major combat operations to eliminate imminent threats and prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and declared intent to dismantle Iran’s missile industry and target naval and proxy capabilities; explosions were reported in Tehran and other major cities including near the compound of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iranian state media later confirmed his death and formation of a temporary leadership council, U.S. forces destroyed nine Iranian warships and struck naval headquarters while B-2 bombers hit fortified missile sites and left a Jamaran-class frigate sinking near Chabahar, and Iranian forces launched ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. bases in the Gulf triggering regional air defense activation and disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz, though U.S. Central Command said four missiles fired at the USS Abraham Lincoln fell into the water and caused no damage.

2. Hormuz Closure Shocks Markets, Oil Prices Jump Globally

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced the Strait of Hormuz was closed, halting maritime traffic that carries about one-fifth of global oil supply and affecting more than 20 million barrels per day, as vessels were warned not to transit and a tanker near Khasab was targeted, prompting oil prices to surge about nine percent, with Brent crude and U.S. West Texas Intermediate sharply rising.

3. Iran Missile And Drone Barrages Strike UAE, Disrupt Gulf Trade

Iran launched coordinated missile and drone attacks across the United Arab Emirates, killing three people and injuring at least 58 as debris damaged Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Towers housing the Israeli embassy and disrupted Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports and Jebel Ali Port, while air defenses intercepted 152 of 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles, and 506 of 541 drones, prompting the UAE to close its embassy in Tehran and withdraw its ambassador.

4. Iran Missile Barrages Kill Ten, Injure Over 120 Across Israel

Iran launched multiple ballistic missile barrages across Israel. Ten civilians were killed and more than 120 were injured. Missiles struck residential buildings in Beit Shemesh and areas near the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv. The Israeli military confirmed launches from Iran and interceptions over Jerusalem. 

5. Larijani Rejects Talks, Araghchi Signals De-Escalation After Khamenei’s Death

Iran’s interim leadership saw top security official Ali Larijani form a provisional council after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the U.S.-Israeli strikes, reject U.S. negotiations and warn of retaliation, while Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi reportedly signaled openness to de-escalation, creating conflicting signals from Tehran; Oman reported two Iranian drones struck Duqm port, wounding one worker, underscoring regional fallout amid the leadership crisis. On his X account, Arghachi says Iran will decide the war’s end. He explained that Iran has studied two decades of U.S. military failures east and west of its borders and drawn lessons from them, adding that bombing Tehran would not affect Iran’s ability to continue the war because its multi-layered, decentralized defense system allows Iran to determine when and how the conflict will end. 

6. World Leaders React as Khamenei Death Escalates Regional Tensions

Governments worldwide issued statements after Iran confirmed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the U.S.-Israeli strikes, with Russia condemning the killing as illegal, the European Union warning of instability, Pakistan raising concerns over targeting heads of state, and China urging restraint, President Trump told Fox News that forty-eight leaders were killed in US and Israeli strikes on Iran. He said the operation was progressing rapidly and described the outcome as a significant success. 

7. Iranian Shahed Drone Strikes British RAF Base In 

Cyprus

A Shahed-type unmanned drone struck the British RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus overnight, causing minor material damage and no casualties. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said the country is not participating in military operations and does not intend to become involved in the conflict. British and Cypriot authorities placed security forces on high alert following the strike.

8. Basij Confront Celebrants As Cities Mark Khamenei Death

Widespread street celebrations erupted in Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, and Tabriz following state broadcaster confirmation of Ali Khamenei’s death after initial denials, while Basij forces and pro-regime supporters allegedly confronted celebrants, issued threats, and framed unrest in religious terms, indicating simultaneous public mobilization and regime counter-mobilization in multiple urban centers.

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★ ISRAEL

9. Israel Destroys Missile Forces And Gains Air Superiority Over Iran

The Israel Defense Forces said it conducted a large-scale air campaign against Iran, striking about 500 military targets including ballistic missile launchers, air defense systems, IRGC command centers, explosives facilities, and internal security headquarters, while dropping more than 2,000 bombs in over 700 sorties within 30 hours and achieving air superiority within 24 hours, with Israeli officials stating roughly 200 Iranian missile launchers were destroyed and dozens more disabled.

10. Israel Expands Operation Lion’s Roar With Mobilization And Continued Strikes

Israel mobilized approximately 100,000 reservists and expanded Operation “Lion’s Roar,” continuing strikes across Iran targeting missile infrastructure, air defenses, and senior leadership sites in Tehran and other locations as Iranian missile barrages struck Israel, while the Israeli military confirmed ongoing air operations designed to sustain pressure on Iranian military capabilities and maintain operational freedom over Iranian airspace.

11. Israeli Chief Holds Military Talks With Arab Counterparts

Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, held a series of conversations in the past 24 hours with chiefs of staff from Arab countries, according to Israeli security sources. The discussions occurred during ongoing regional hostilities. Sources stated that a regional defense coordination framework has been operating in practice since the Iranian attack in April 2025 and has expanded since then. No formal alliance announcement was issued.

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★LEBANON

12. Hezbollah Opens Northern Front As Israel Launches Major Strikes In Lebanon

Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel targeting a missile defense site near Haifa in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, marking its first cross-border attack since the prior ceasefire. Israel responded with extensive airstrikes across southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs, killing at least 31 and injuring more than 140, including Hezbollah parliamentary leader Mohammad Raad, as Lebanese authorities condemned the launches, ordered arrests of missile operators, and convened emergency security measures.

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★THE GULF

13. Saudi Intercepts Drones Near Ras Tanura, Summons Iranian Ambassador

Saudi Arabia intercepted drones targeting the Ras Tanura oil refinery near Dammam, which processes more than 500,000 barrels per day, and released video showing smoke in the area as authorities assessed damage. Riyadh then summoned Iranian Ambassador Ali Reza Enayati, condemning the strikes as violations of Gulf sovereignty, while Kuwait and Qatar also called in Iranian envoys in a coordinated diplomatic response.

14. US Fighter Jet Crashes Near Ali Al Salem Base

Videos circulated on Monday showing a fighter jet crashing in Kuwait near Ali Al Salem Air Base. Initial reports identified the aircraft as a US F-15, possibly an F-15E, with unconfirmed early claims of light fire. The pilot ejected and was rescued alive after descending by parachute. The crash occurred approximately 10 kilometers from the US base. No official statement has confirmed the cause of the incident.

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★IRAQ

15. Strikes And Militia Drone Attack Escalate Conflict Across Iraq

Airstrikes targeted Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Force bases in Diyala, killing at least four and wounding others, while additional drone strikes hit sites in Nineveh, Erbil, Basra, and Dhi Qar, with some intercepted. Separately, Saraya Awliya al-Dam claimed a drone strike on the Victoria base at Baghdad International Airport, calling it retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as Iraq condemned the attacks as threats to national security.

16. Iraq Offers Condolences To Iran, Calls For Immediate Ceasefire

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein called Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to offer condolences over the death of Ali Khamenei as Iran alleged U.S. and Israeli strikes caused civilian casualties, while Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa held talks urging an immediate halt to military operations, greater Arab coordination, and international action to prevent wider regional escalation.

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★SYRIA

17. Egypt Suspends Gas Exports To Syria Lebanon After Disruptions

Egypt halted natural gas flows to Syria and Lebanon through the Arab Gas Pipeline after Israel closed the Tamar and Leviathan fields during exchanges with Iran. The shutdown cut 1.1 billion cubic feet per day to Egypt and 300 million to Jordan. Cairo redirected regasified LNG to stabilize domestic electricity and meet Jordanian demand, freezing prior supply agreements.

18. Syria And Lebanon Coordinate With Arab Leaders Amid Iran Escalation

Syrian and Lebanese leaders held consultations following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent Iranian missile attacks on Gulf states, with Syria’s foreign minister speaking to Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and regional counterparts, while President Ahmad al-Sharaa held calls with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq to affirm solidarity with Arab states and reject sovereignty violations, as Lebanon warned Hezbollah that further escalation could trigger Israeli retaliation against Lebanese infrastructure.

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★YEMEN

19. Yemeni Houthi Leader Signals Support For Iran Without Declaring War

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi expressed political and public support for Iran but stopped short of declaring war, calling for mass demonstrations and framing U.S.-Israeli strikes as targeting American forces. Yemen’s government warned that any escalation could threaten national and regional security.

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★TURKIYE

20. Erdogan Expresses Condolences, Urges Diplomacy Amid Iran Conflict

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed sorrow over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, attributing it to U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, and said Türkiye is not taking sides in the conflict. He held calls with U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, condemned Iran’s missile and drone attacks in the Gulf, voiced concern over strikes on Iran, and urged immediate diplomacy while pledging expanded mediation efforts to prevent escalation.

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★ Disclaimer: This publication is a digest of various news sources compiled by the Early Phoenix team and edited by Rania Kisar. The items are curated, concise summaries of news items hyperlinked within each story. The items and summaries presented do not necessarily represent the views of the American Center for Levant Studies.