Images captured on February 28 and compiled by RFE/RL show blasts in Iran, Israel, and several other Middle Eastern countries amid US President Donald Trump's announcement that "major combat operations" are underway.
Explosions Seen In Multiple Middle East Cities As US, Israel Launch Strikes On Iran
UN Special Rapporteur Criticizes US-Israeli Strikes
The United Nations special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, Mai Sato, has criticized the US-Israeli strikes, saying they were launched “in violation of the UN Charter and without authorisation from the Security Council.”
“We cannot pick and choose when international law applies,” she said in a post on X, adding that “unlawful military intervention is not a solution to the nuclear issue or to the human rights situation in Iran.”
She added that she is “closely monitoring the human rights impact of this escalation,” particularly on civilians and infrastructure.
Macron Calls Escalation 'Dangerous for All,' Seeks UN Meeting
French President Emanuel Macron has also weighed in on this morning's developments, warning that the “outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security.”
Describing the escalation as "dangerous for all," he said the Iranian regime "must understand that it now has no other option but to engage in good faith in negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic programs, as well as its regional destabilization activities."
“The Iranian people must also be able to freely build their future,” he said in a post on X, and announced that he was seeking an urgent UN Security Council meeting while consulting European and regional allies.
He added that "every measure is being taken to ensure the security of our national territory, our citizens, and our interests in the Middle East."
Here is some video footage of the explosions witnessed in Tehran on February 28, which were shortly followed by sirens sounding in Israel in the wake of US President Donald Trump's announcement of attacks on Iran. He called for Iranian citizens to keep off the streets, telling them "the hour of your freedom is at hand."
Mediator In Iran–US Talks Expresses Disappointment Over Attack On Iranian Soil
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who has been mediating in recent Iran–US negotiations and is currently in the United States, has posted on X, expressing disappointment over the outbreak of hostilities.
"I am dismayed. Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined," he said. "Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this."
The senior Omani official was in the midst of negotiations between the two countries over Iran's nuclear program and cited "significant progress." Less than 24 hours earlier he had told reporters that “peace is within reach.”
Iranian Governor Claims 40 Students Killed
Meanwhile, the special governor of Minab, a city in Iran's southern Hormozgan Province, says “40 students” were killed in US and Israeli attacks. He added that 48 people were also injured.
If confirmed this would be the first report of civilian deaths in Iran as a result of the US and Israeli military operation.
RFE/RL's Radio Farda was unable to independently verify the claim.
Some unverified footage purportedly showing the aftermath of the strike in Minab has also been widely shared on social media.
Christiaan Triebert from The New York Times, who specializes in open-source verification and geolocation analysis, has posted a picture on X showing a satellite picture of the official residence of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, showing several buildings razed to the ground.
It was reported earlier that the first wave of US and Israeli attacks on February 28 targeted several Islamic republic government officials, including Khamenei and President Masud Pezeshkian.
State media say that the two were not harmed in the attacks.
Blasts Reported Across Gulf As Iran Confirms Strikes On US Bases
Amid reports of strikes across the Middle East, Persian Gulf states have reacted to expanding Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting US military facilities and regional capitals.
A new wave of explosions was reported in Abu Dhabi, with Reuters and AFP citing local witnesses.
Qatar closed its airspace after earlier missile attacks and said it reserves the right to respond.
Saudi Arabia condemned what it called “brutal Iranian aggression” and a “blatant violation” of the sovereignty of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan, though it did not confirm being targeted despite reported explosions in Riyadh.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps claimed it had struck US bases in Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, including the US Fifth Fleet headquarters, and said operations would continue.
Earlier, sirens and explosions were reported in the Bahraini capital, Manama, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh and Kuwait.
Bahrain confirmed that there had been a missile strike on the Fifth Fleet service center.
The UAE said it intercepted several missiles but reported one fatality. Qatar said all incoming missiles were destroyed. Reuters also reported an airstrike on Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces headquarters in Baghdad.
Meanwhile, the US Department of War has issued a brief post on X, giving the name of the latest US operation.
Iran Plunged Into Digital Darkness as Internet Blocked Amid US, Israeli Air Strikes
Iran has been plunged into a "near-total" Internet blackout as the United States and Israel carry out a massive, coordinated aerial bombing campaign across the country.
According to the Internet watchdog NetBlocks, connectivity in the country plummeted to just 4 percent of ordinary levels on February 28, severely limiting the flow of information as military operations intensify.
The digital shutdown began shortly after several Iranian news websites, including the official IRNA news agency, reported they had been targeted by sophisticated cyberattacks.
NetBlocks noted that the current disruption "matches measures" taken by the Iranian government during the 12-day conflict with Israel last June, suggesting the blackout is a state-enforced effort.
The military operation, which US President Donald Trump described as "major combat operations," was launched jointly with Israel to dismantle Iran’s missile and nuclear infrastructure.
In a video address, the president stated that the objective is to eliminate "imminent threats" to the American people and allies. Directly addressing the Iranian public, he declared that "the hour of your freedom is at hand," urging citizens to "take over your government" once the military phase concludes—a move signaling that the operation's ultimate goal is the collapse of the Islamic republic.
In Tehran, the strikes have targeted the highest levels of the Islamic republic’s leadership. Missiles reportedly struck the residential compounds of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masud Pezeshkian in the city’s downtown district. News wires quoting informed sources say both leaders were moved to secure locations and remain safe.
The escalation comes amid a state of emergency in Israel and a retaliatory wave of Iranian missile strikes targeting regional bases.