Middle East on Brink: Israel Launches Massive Pre-Emptive Strike on Iran, Blasts Rock Tehran

New Delhi: Long-time adversaries and arch enemies Israel and Iran are at loggerheads as fresh tensions escalated in the Middle East after Israel carried out a series of airstrikes inside Iran on Saturday, with multiple explosions reported across Tehran.

The fresh strikes underline the significant escalation of tensions between the two nations in recent times, as Israeli officials termed the attacks a "preemptive defensive action” that was devised to target and decimate key military infrastructure that is said to be allegedly harbouring Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) systems and nuclear warheads.

Shortly after the attacks, Israel’s higher authorities warned citizens of an imminent retaliation and issued a ‘state of emergency’ for the entire nation. Bracing up against possible retaliation, Israel has activated its Air Defence Systems (ADS) across major cities to counter possibilities of incoming drones or missile strikes.

Meanwhile, in Tehran, residents reported hearing a series of deafening explosion sounds, which were followed by plumes of smoke gradually rising from various parts of Tehran. Iranian authorities temporarily closed the airspace and restricted certain communication services as security forces assessed the damage.

Footage of an Iranian ballistic missile slamming into the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain earlier today. pic.twitter.com/6omkCrLy2u

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 28, 2026

Even though officials have made it clear that only military establishments have been targeted, ground zero reports are yet to be ascertained.

Reportedly, leadership in Iran has heavily condemned the attacks and termed them a ‘gross violation of sovereignty’ and issued warnings of a ‘decisive response’ in retaliation to the unprecedented military action by Israel.

According to defence analysts, this strike could provoke Iran towards either a direct retaliatory attack or a response involving regional allies. Concerns have also been raised over the fact that if Iran’s allies too join in this confrontation, then the issue might escalate beyond the two countries, thus giving rise to a broader conflict.

Let the world know that we did not start this war pic.twitter.com/9G3vbJYw1D

— Iran Military Monitor (@IRIran_Military) February 28, 2026

Saturday’s events, however, represent one of the most overt military exchanges between the two nations, heightening fears of a wider Middle East war.

It is to be mentioned that the recent military attacks on Iran by Israel have drawn noticeable international attention, with the United States closely monitoring the fragile situation. Following the developments, global markets are also cautiously reacting to the situation, as a prolonged conflict between the two nations might destabilise the already fragile economy and a restless geopolitical landscape.

It may be mentioned that both countries, Israel and Iran, have a history of shadow conflict for years now, which involves cyber wars, proxy warfare, and strategic strikes across the region.

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