Is Iran Going to Attack the US Today? What We Know About Iran's Retaliation

Overview: Is Iran Going to Attack the US Today?

Is Iran going to attack the US today? The answer, as of March 1, 2026, is that Iran has already done so. In the early morning hours of March 1, Iran launched a sweeping retaliatory assault targeting US military installations across the Persian Gulf, striking bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. The strikes killed three American soldiers and seriously wounded five more at a military base in Kuwait, according to US Central Command.

Iran's retaliation came less than 24 hours after the United States and Israel launched what the Pentagon codenamed "Operation Epic Fury" and Israel called "Operation Roaring Lion" — a joint military assault that struck approximately 500 targets across 24 Iranian provinces on February 28, 2026. The strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's defense minister, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, according to NPR.

The question of whether Iran is going to attack the US today is no longer hypothetical — it is an active, unfolding reality. Iran's Supreme National Security Council has vowed a "crushing response" and stated that military operations will continue. Tehran simultaneously expressed interest in de-escalation, but only once the US-Israeli bombing campaign ends. The situation remains extremely volatile, with further Iranian attacks on US assets considered highly likely by defense analysts at the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).

This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the February 28 US-Israeli strikes, Iran's March 1 retaliation, US military casualties, the diplomatic collapse that preceded the conflict, and what comes next in the rapidly escalating Iran-US crisis.

What Happened: The US-Israeli Strikes on Iran (February 28)

On Saturday morning, February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched a coordinated aerial assault on the Islamic Republic of Iran. The operation represented the largest US military action in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the most significant Israeli military operation against a non-neighboring state in modern history.

Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion

The Pentagon designated the US component "Operation Epic Fury," while Israel's military codenamed its operation "Roaring Lion." According to NBC News, the sweeping airstrikes began early Saturday morning following months of heated rhetoric and warnings from the Trump administration. Approximately 200 Israeli fighter jets participated in the initial wave, striking around 500 targets across western and central Iran.

Targets and Scope

The strikes systematically targeted Iran's military infrastructure across 24 of the country's 31 provinces. According to Al Jazeera, the primary targets included:

• Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command and control facilities
• Iranian air defense capabilities, including radar and SAM installations
• Ballistic missile and drone launch sites
• Military airfields across multiple provinces
• Senior leadership compounds in Tehran

The cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah bore the heaviest bombardment. Multiple missiles struck University Street and the Jomhouri area in central Tehran. Videos from the capital showed massive plumes of thick black smoke rising above the skyline, visible for miles. Several explosions were reported near the Beit Rahbari — the compound of the Supreme Leader.

Killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei

The most consequential strike targeted the compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86 years old. Iranian state media later confirmed that Khamenei was killed in the attack, along with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. Three separate meetings of senior Iranian officials were struck simultaneously, killing Iran's defense minister, the IRGC commander, and the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, as reported by NPR.

President Trump confirmed the killing on social media, posting: "He was unable to avoid our Intelligence and Highly Sophisticated Tracking Systems." Iran's Fars News Agency initially called Trump's claims "baseless," citing his history of "spreading false and fabricated news," but Iranian state media confirmed Khamenei's death within hours. Iran subsequently declared 40 days of national mourning.

Military Buildup Before the Strikes

The strikes did not come without warning. According to PBS NewsHour, the US had deployed its largest military presence in the Middle East in over 20 years, including multiple carrier strike groups, long-range strike aircraft, air defense systems, and extensive logistics infrastructure. A White House adviser posted images of B-2 stealth bombers on social media days before the operation, while Admiral Brad Cooper briefed President Trump on strike options. ACLED estimated that approximately 40-50% of deployable US airpower had been moved to the region.

Iran's Retaliation: Targets, Damage, and Casualties (March 1)

Iran's retaliatory response came swiftly. On the morning of March 1, 2026, the Islamic Republic launched a massive barrage of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and armed drones at targets across at least seven countries: Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The IRGC confirmed the strikes, stating they targeted military facilities — not civilian infrastructure — and vowed to continue operations, according to Al Jazeera's reporting on the Gulf state attacks.

Strikes on US Military Installations

Iran's primary targets included US military bases and assets stationed across the Persian Gulf:

• Kuwait: Iranian missiles struck a US military base, killing three American soldiers and seriously wounding five, as confirmed by US Central Command.
• Bahrain: The US Fifth Fleet headquarters at Naval Support Activity Bahrain was hit by Iranian missiles. Damage assessments are ongoing.
• Qatar: Al Udeid Air Base — the largest US military base in the Middle East — was targeted with ballistic missiles and drone swarms.
• UAE: Multiple strikes targeted Al-Dhafra Air Base near Abu Dhabi. The UAE military intercepted over 100 ballistic missiles and approximately 200 drones, though one person was killed by falling debris in Abu Dhabi.
• Jordan: Jordanian air defenses downed 49 Iranian drones and missiles traversing its airspace, as reported by NPR.

Strikes on Israel

Iran simultaneously targeted Israeli territory with long-range ballistic missiles. Air raid sirens sounded across the country as civilians rushed to bomb shelters. At least nine people were killed when an Iranian missile struck the town of Beit Shemesh, west of Jerusalem. Israel closed its airspace to all passenger flights. The Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran targeted military facilities, not civilian areas, and expressed interest in de-escalation — though Tehran made clear this was conditional on the cessation of US-Israeli strikes, according to NBC News.

Scope of Iran's Response

The scale of Iran's retaliation was unprecedented. Previous Iranian retaliatory operations — including the April 2024 strikes on Israel — were more limited in scope and largely intercepted. This time, Iran struck seven countries simultaneously, employing a combination of medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs), land-attack cruise missiles, and Shahed-series armed drones. ACLED noted that "the scope, speed, and scale of Iran's initial retaliation, including against the Gulf countries (excluding Oman), reinforce the potential for this quickly escalating to wider conflict."

US Military Casualties

The human cost of Iran's retaliation became painfully clear on March 1 when US Central Command confirmed the first American combat deaths of the conflict. Three US service members were killed in action and at least five were seriously wounded when Iranian missiles struck a US military base in Kuwait, according to NPR's reporting on the second day of strikes. These represent the first American combat fatalities in the Middle East since 2021.

The Pentagon stated that additional US service members suffered minor injuries at other bases targeted by Iranian strikes, though specific numbers from Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE remain classified for operational security reasons. The US military reported "minimal facility damage" overall, suggesting that missile defense systems — including Patriot and THAAD batteries — intercepted the majority of incoming projectiles. However, the fact that Iranian missiles successfully penetrated base defenses in Kuwait raises questions about the density and effectiveness of existing air defense coverage across multiple simultaneous targets.

Republican members of Congress called the casualties "a direct consequence of Iranian aggression," while Democratic leaders argued they underscored the dangers of military escalation without congressional authorization. Senator Chuck Schumer warned of "another endless and costly war in the Middle East," as reported by NBC News.

Failed Diplomacy: The Geneva Collapse

The military escalation followed the dramatic collapse of nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran in Geneva on Thursday, February 27, 2026. The talks — which had been brokered by Oman's Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi — fell apart over fundamental disagreements about Iran's uranium enrichment program.

According to PBS NewsHour, Iran had reportedly agreed to several significant concessions: zero nuclear fuel accumulation and stockpiling, full verification measures, and for the first time, the acceptance of American inspectors to verify its nuclear program. However, President Trump demanded that Iran explicitly state "we're not going to have a nuclear weapon" and insisted on a complete halt to uranium enrichment — a red line Tehran refused to cross.

Omani Foreign Minister Al Busaidi, who had met with Vice President J.D. Vance, urged the Trump administration to give negotiators "enough room and enough space" to reach a deal. He described the talks as progressing, with technical discussions scheduled for the following Monday. But the window for diplomacy had already closed. As PBS reported, the largest US military buildup in the Middle East in over two decades was already in position, and Admiral Brad Cooper had briefed Trump on strike options.

The Geneva breakdown was preceded by an alarming signal: the US Embassy in Israel advised staff to consider immediate departure. Ambassador Mike Huckabee sent an email stating that authorized personnel should leave "TODAY" — in all capitals in the original message. Within 24 hours of the Geneva collapse, Operation Epic Fury was underway.

The Core Disagreement

At the heart of the diplomatic failure was an irreconcilable gap. Trump demanded that Iran could not enrich nuclear fuel at any level, framing enrichment capability itself as an unacceptable threat. Iran insisted that as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and a nation with vast oil reserves, it had the right to civilian nuclear technology — including enrichment. From Tehran's perspective, Washington's demands constituted what ACLED characterized as "near-total capitulation," making meaningful concessions politically impossible for any Iranian leader.

Trump's Statements and Demands

President Trump's public statements before, during, and after the strikes revealed the administration's maximalist objectives. In the hours following the initial strikes, Trump addressed the Iranian people directly with a message that went far beyond military objectives.

"When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take," Trump stated, as reported by NBC News. He demanded that the Revolutionary Guard Corps surrender or "face certain death," and declared that the bombing "will continue throughout the week or as long as necessary."

Trump also claimed — without independent verification at the time — that Khamenei had been killed, stating "We feel that that is a correct story" and that "most" of Iran's senior leadership was "gone." He further claimed that Iran's military operations were "ahead of schedule," as reported by CNBC.

When Iran launched retaliatory strikes, Trump responded on social media in characteristic fashion: "THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT. IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!" — escalatory rhetoric that raised concerns among international observers about the potential for a spiraling cycle of retaliation.

Congressional Authorization Controversy

The strikes were launched without congressional authorization, a decision that divided US lawmakers along both partisan and institutional lines. Several members of Congress demanded votes on a war powers resolution to limit the president's authority to continue military operations in Iran. The debate echoed earlier confrontations over executive war-making authority in Syria, Libya, and Yemen — but with far higher stakes given the scale of the Iran operation and the killing of a head of state.

Civilian Toll and Humanitarian Impact

The humanitarian consequences of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran have been devastating. Iran's Red Crescent Society reported that as of 5:30 PM CET on February 28, at least 201 civilians had been killed and 747 injured across Iran, according to Al Jazeera. These figures are expected to rise as rescue teams gain access to heavily bombed areas.

The Minab School Strike

The single deadliest incident reported so far involved a strike on an elementary girls' school in Minab, a city in Iran's Hormozgan province in the south. According to Iran's state-run IRNA news agency, the strike killed at least 85 children. Local prosecutors reported even higher numbers. NPR and multiple international outlets reported on the strike, which drew immediate condemnation from humanitarian organizations and the United Nations. The Pentagon has not commented on the specific incident.

Infrastructure and Civilian Impact

Beyond direct casualties, the strikes inflicted severe damage on Iran's civilian infrastructure. Iran's airspace was closed and has been extended until at least March 3, with further extensions possible. Flight tracking website FlightAware reported that 7,716 flights were delayed and 2,280 cancelled globally by Sunday morning as a result of the conflict, according to Al Jazeera.

Iran's internet connectivity dropped to approximately 4% of normal levels — consistent with a near-total government-imposed blackout, a tactic the regime has employed during previous crises. The Conversation noted that the regime faces "a narrowing set of bad options," with the war intensifying domestic repression across 140+ towns that had already experienced lethal force against protesters in preceding months.

International Response

The international community's response reflected deep divisions over the legality and proportionality of the US-Israeli operation.

United Nations

UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned both the US-Israeli strikes and Iran's retaliatory attacks, warning that the escalation "carries the risk of igniting a chain of events that no one can control," as reported by NPR. He called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to negotiations.

Russia and China

Russia condemned the strikes outright, while China expressed "serious concern" over the escalation. Both nations have strategic interests in Tehran and maintain defense cooperation with Iran. CNBC reported that the strikes threatened to realign geopolitical alliances, with Iran potentially drawing closer to Moscow and Beijing in the aftermath.

Gulf States

The Gulf Arab states found themselves in an unenviable position — hosting US military bases that became targets for Iranian retaliation. The UAE, which intercepted over 100 ballistic missiles, called for restraint from all parties. Oman — the sole Gulf state excluded from Iranian retaliation — continued to position itself as a diplomatic mediator, reflecting its historical role as a back channel between Washington and Tehran.

Iran's De-escalation Signal

Despite the ferocity of its retaliation, Iran sent mixed signals about its intentions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran targeted military facilities, not civilians, and expressed interest in de-escalation — but only once the joint US-Israeli strikes ended. However, ACLED analysts cautioned that "the type of de-escalatory responses that we have become accustomed to in previous conflicts, including last summer's twelve-day war, are at least for now off the table."

Reddit and Social Media Response

Iran's retaliatory strikes on US military bases triggered an overwhelming response across social media platforms. On Reddit, the r/worldnews subreddit saw multiple megathreads accumulate tens of thousands of comments within hours as users debated whether Iran would continue attacking US forces and what the implications of the escalation would be for global stability. The question "is Iran going to attack the US today?" became one of the most searched queries on Google Trends as Americans woke up to news of the retaliatory strikes.

The r/iran and r/NewIran subreddits became critical hubs for the Iranian diaspora community. Users shared information about the safety of family members in Tehran and other targeted cities, while debating the political implications of Khamenei's death for Iran's future governance. Many expressed conflicted emotions — opposition to the regime alongside deep anguish over civilian casualties, particularly the children killed at the Minab school.

On r/geopolitics, analysis threads examined Iran's asymmetric military capabilities, the implications for the Strait of Hormuz, and whether the US had the legal authority to conduct such an operation without congressional approval. Highly upvoted comments cited CSIS analysis on how Iran would respond to a US attack and Foreign Affairs' assessment that Iran would inevitably escalate — predictions that proved accurate within hours.

Videos of Tehran explosions and Iranian missile launches spread rapidly across X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, and TikTok, with OSINT analysts comparing satellite imagery to verify strike damage. Misinformation was rampant — multiple false claims about nuclear facility strikes circulated before being debunked by IAEA monitoring data.

What's Next

The situation remains extremely fluid and dangerous. Several key indicators will determine whether the conflict escalates further or moves toward de-escalation:

Further Iranian Strikes

Iran's IRGC has vowed continued military operations. Foreign Affairs warned that Iran will escalate, arguing that the strikes represent an existential threat to the regime. Iran retains significant asymmetric capabilities despite the damage to its conventional forces — including ballistic missiles in hardened underground silos, cyber warfare capabilities, and regional proxy networks.

Strait of Hormuz

One of the most dangerous scenarios involves Iranian action to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world's oil supply flows daily. ACLED noted that severe actions like blockading the strait would trigger an "expansive US response," but Iran may calculate that even partial disruption could inflict enormous economic damage on the global economy. Oil prices have already surged 15% in overnight trading.

Proxy Network Activation

Iran's network of regional proxies and allies — including militias in Iraq, Houthi forces in Yemen, and what remains of Hezbollah's operational capacity in Lebanon — could open additional fronts. While ACLED noted that Hezbollah's capacity has been "depleted" following the 2025 twelve-day war, other elements of Iran's proxy network remain operational and may conduct independent attacks on US personnel and interests.

Ceasefire Prospects

Despite the rhetoric, both sides have signaled some openness to a cessation of hostilities. Iran's stated interest in de-escalation — conditional on the US-Israeli strikes ending — provides a potential off-ramp. Oman's continued mediation role offers a diplomatic channel. However, Trump's stated objective of continuing strikes "throughout the week or as long as necessary" and his call for Iranians to "take over your government" suggest the administration's goals extend beyond any achievable near-term negotiated outcome.

Why It Matters

The killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei represents the first targeted assassination of a sitting head of state by the US military since the 1943 downing of Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's aircraft during World War II — and arguably the first deliberate killing of a nation's supreme political leader by US forces in modern history. This act alone has fundamentally altered the geopolitical landscape.

The broader implications are staggering. Iran's nuclear program — the ostensible reason for the strikes — may now accelerate rather than halt, as hardliners within what remains of the regime could argue that only nuclear weapons can deter future attacks. The Conversation assessed that despite the massive US attack and the death of the ayatollah, regime change in Iran remains unlikely, as the institutional structures of the Islamic Republic — the Guardian Council, the Assembly of Experts, the IRGC — are designed to survive the loss of any single leader.

For the United States, the conflict carries enormous risks: the potential for a prolonged military engagement in a country of 88 million people with difficult terrain and motivated defenders, the economic shock of disrupted oil supplies, the strain on military resources already stretched by commitments in Europe and the Pacific, and the diplomatic fallout of a unilateral attack that divided the international community. As ACLED bluntly concluded: "Even if war is avoided, structural crises persist" — economic mismanagement, sanctions squeeze, and fractured social contracts mean that the region faces years of instability regardless of how the immediate military conflict resolves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Iran going to attack the US today?

Iran has already launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes against US military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and other Gulf states on March 1, 2026. Three US soldiers were killed and five seriously wounded at a Kuwait base, according to US Central Command. The IRGC has vowed continued operations, so further attacks on US assets remain highly likely. The situation is evolving rapidly — check back for live updates.

Did Iran attack US soldiers?

Yes. US Central Command confirmed that 3 US soldiers were killed in action and 5 were seriously wounded when Iranian missiles struck a US military base in Kuwait on March 1, 2026. These are the first American combat fatalities in the Middle East since 2021. Iran also struck the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain and targeted Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

What countries did Iran attack in retaliation?

Iran launched missiles and drones at seven countries: Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The UAE intercepted over 100 ballistic missiles and approximately 200 drones. Jordan downed 49 drones and missiles. At least 9 people were killed in an Iranian missile strike on the Israeli town of Beit Shemesh. One person was killed in Abu Dhabi from falling debris.

Was Supreme Leader Khamenei killed in the US strikes on Iran?

Yes. Iranian state media confirmed that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, age 86, was killed in a US-Israeli airstrike on his Tehran compound on February 28, 2026. His daughter, son-in-law, and grandson were also killed. Iran's defense minister, IRGC commander, and Supreme National Security Council secretary died in simultaneous strikes on three separate meetings. Iran declared 40 days of national mourning.

What was Operation Epic Fury?

Operation Epic Fury was the Pentagon's codename for the US component of joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran launched on February 28, 2026. Israel called its parallel operation "Roaring Lion." Together, approximately 200 Israeli fighter jets and US long-range strike aircraft hit around 500 targets across 24 Iranian provinces, including IRGC command and control facilities, air defense systems, ballistic missile launch sites, military airfields, and senior leadership compounds.

Related Coverage

• Iran Retaliates Against US Bases: Which Military Facilities Were Targeted and What We Know
• Iran vs US Military Comparison: Forces, Technology, and Capability Gap
• Operation Epic Fury Explained: What It Is, What's Being Targeted, and What Comes Next
• Iran Strikes Back: Where Iran Retaliated, What Was Hit, and Damage Reports
• Can Iran Hit the US Mainland? ICBM Range, Missile Capabilities, and What Intelligence Says

Research Hubs

• Iran-Israel-Dubai War Guide
• Iran Nuclear and Military Briefing
• Israel Security and Escalation Briefing
• Dubai and UAE Risk Briefing
• Source Center: Primary References

Sources

Last updated: March 1, 2026. This article is revised when new evidence materially changes what can be stated with confidence.