As our managing editor Jennifer Van Laar reported earlier Friday night, the United States, in conjunction with Israel, has launched a daytime military campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran after talks failed to bring a breakthrough over the despotic regime’s nuclear ambitions.
UPDATED: President Trump Confirms 'Major Combat Operation' in Iran
Iran is now responding to the ongoing mission, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” in a not-unexpected assault on their arch-enemy, Israel.
The first warning of incoming missiles in Israel sounded on Saturday morning, approximately two hours after the US and Israel began launching strikes against Iran.
The notification from Israel’s Home Front Command sent straight to cell phones warned that alerts are expected in the area “in a few minutes” and to prepare to enter a protected space.
The Israeli military said in a statement that it had identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel.
“At this time, the Israeli Air Force is operating to intercept and strike threats where necessary to remove the threat,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. “The defense is not hermetic, and therefore it is essential that the public continue to adhere to the Home Front Command’s guidelines.”
Fox News reporter Trey Yingst said that air sirens are going off in the Jewish state’s second-largest city, Tel Aviv:
The Iranians have started responding with missile fire against Israel. pic.twitter.com/d7zBCnueHE
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) February 28, 2026
Trump had been clear that strikes might be coming against Iran, and said he was “not happy” with the progress in the talks, declaring: “They don’t want to say the key words: We’re not going to have a nuclear weapon.”
In recent weeks, he's sent two carrier strike groups to the region, the USS Abraham Lincoln and the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (which is on its way and closing in fast).
THE SIGNS WERE THERE: Signs and Portents: Evacuation Urged in Israel Security Alert, Rubio's Visit Still Set for Monday
Iran, ever defiant, said through its state news agency that its president Masoud Pezeshkian is alive and well despite the strikes. Of course, the real leader of the country is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and his condition is unknown, although there are reports that his residence was targeted.
At this hour, Israel is on high alert, and explosions have been heard.
🚨 Sirens sounding across Israel pic.twitter.com/qX6OBgNs2k
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026
The Israelis remain resolute, however:
🇮🇱 🤝 🇺🇸 OPERATION ROARING LION: The IDF and the U.S Armed Forces have launched a broad & joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to Israel over time.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 28, 2026
The Iranian regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel.…
The post from the Israel Defense Forces continued:
The Iranian regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel. The regime has continued financing, training, and arming its proxies positioned on Israel’s borders. These actions constitute an existential threat to Israel and pose a danger to the Middle East and the world as a whole.
There will be much more news about this developing story on Saturday morning, and RedState will bring it to you.
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