Israeli strikes targeted Iran's supreme leader, president and armed forces chief of staff, sources tell CNN. Follow live updates: cnn.it/4u19vkL

Israeli officials assess that the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, was likely killed in this morning’s strikes in Iran.

In addition, the officials assess that Iran’s minister of defense and chief of intelligence were also likely killed. The assessments have yet to be confirmed by Iran or by the IDF.

Several top Iranian regime and military commanders were targeted in this morning’s strikes, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. However, the results of the strikes currently remain unclear.

Stay up to date on The Times of Israel: : timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry…

The war in summary

Germany 🇩🇪 🇮🇱❤️

There will be peace in the Middle East only when the Evil Regime is destroyed.

🚨 Breaking: IRGC's underground Damavand headquarters attacked with bunker-buster bombs

Arakchi posted a tweet from Trump in 2012 and wrote: Netanyahu and Trump's war on Iran is completely illegal and illegitimate. Trump turned 'America First' into 'Israel First.' Our forces are ready for this day and will teach the attackers the lesson they deserve.

Former Iranian "diplomat" says Israel "must be erased" and "death to America"

Genocidal threats from Iran's regime and state media show why they can never be allowed to have nuclear weapons.

A powerful answer to false comparisons between the 2003 Iraq War and the strikes against Iran's regime.

Context for the U.S.-Israel strike on Iran's regime:

For decades, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has led calls for "Death to Israel," "Death to America," "Death to England," and to everyone else who opposes his oppressive regime.

Amit Segal

*Behind this morning's surprise attack:*

The attack this morning was carried out simultaneously at several locations in Tehran, where senior officials from Iran's political-security leadership had gathered.

The IDF prepared for this with an operational plan developed over months, centered on Aman's intelligence effort to identify an operational opportunity the moment regime leaders convened. Additionally, the decision to strike in the morning rather than at night allowed Israel to achieve tactical surprise for the second time despite heavy Iranian preparations.

Thousands of hours of intensive intelligence work at Aman’s target factory succeeded in increasing the number of targets by hundreds of percent, so Israel is prepared to strike in Iran as needed. This was alongside precise location tracking of commanders and the senior Iranian leadership. Confidence in Israel's intelligence and operational capabilities is a significant factor in the U.S. decision to join the campaign, as well as the many achievements with the people as a whole.

The IDF is in multi-theater readiness for the campaign to expand to additional arenas and is currently assessing the results of the strike.

The Israeli Mossad with an official message to the Iranian people, in Farsi:

“Together we will bring Iran back to its glory days”

“We got your back”

🇮🇱🤝🇮🇷

A senior Iranian official adds in a conversation with Al-Jazeera: Hitting our political leaders will not go unanswered, and all political targets have now entered the response circle. There are no red lines in defending our country, and attacks on schools and civilians will be responded to in the same way.

StandWithUs Update, February 28th, 2026, 3:30pm IL time | Operation ‘Lion’s Roar’ 🦁🇮🇱:

🔵At around 8:30 a.m. local time, the United States and Israel launched a coordinated operation against the Iranian regime.

🔵Israel announced that the joint operation between Israel and the U.S. aims to end the threat from this tyrannical regime that has long threatened to destroy Israel, both directly and through its terror proxies including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, while calling for the death of America and Israel.

Operation objectives:

1.⁠ ⁠Overthrow the regime
2.⁠ ⁠Eliminate Iran's nuclear capabilities
3.⁠ ⁠Neutralize the ballistic missile threat

🔵Over 35 ballistic missiles have been fired from Iran towards Israel so far, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. At least 1 home was impacted. Magen David Adom announced they ave treated and evacuated to hospitals approximately 50 people. 2 were mildly injured by shrapnel, while the rest were treated for injuries sustained while seeking shelter, or those suffering from anxiety symptoms.

🔵The Iranian regime fired towards at least 6 other countries, including:

•⁠ ⁠Saudi Arabia
•⁠ ⁠UAE
•⁠ ⁠Bahrain
•⁠ ⁠Qatar
•⁠ ⁠Kuwait
•⁠ ⁠⁠Jordan

The Israeli Air Force has destroyed a number of Iranian missiles as they were being loaded and prepared for launch in Western Iran.

Before Purim, the Iranians will be free again.

Reuters: Iranian Defense Minister and Revolutionary Guards Commander killed