The United States and Israel on the 28th (local time) launched a large-scale military operation targeting Iran. As the war in Ukraine continues and the risk of full-scale war rises again in the Middle East, global security and the world economy have once more come within range of shock.
According to The Associated Press and Reuters, the U.S. and Israeli governments said that morning they had begun strikes on Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the start of the military operation against Iran in a video address, saying "major combat by U.S. forces has begun."
President Trump said Iran is trying to rebuild its nuclear program and explained that force would be used to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons. He has said that diplomatic solutions come first but left open the possibility of military action against Iran.
Israel, Washington's key ally in the Middle East, joined the U.S. military action. Israel Katz, Israel's defense minister, said in a statement that a preemptive strike had been carried out against Iran "to eliminate threats to Israel." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named the operation "Roaring Lion." The name connects to "Standing Lion," the operation title during the airstrike on Iran's nuclear facilities in Jun. last year.
Israeli outlets reported that the United States and Israel planned the attack over several months. A security source said the initial operation could last about four days.
In Iran, around 10 a.m., local media including IRNA reported that explosions and thick smoke rose in downtown Tehran due to an Israeli airstrike. About seven missiles were believed to have fallen near the offices of top leaders including Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader, and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Booms were also reported in Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Karaj, in addition to Tehran.
Reuters, citing an official, reported that Khamenei is not staying in Tehran and has moved to a secure location. Khamenei has not appeared in public over the past few days as tensions with the United States have risen.
Iran immediately signaled its intent to retaliate. An Iranian official told Reuters that preparations were underway for retaliation against the day's attack. Iran has warned that if struck, it could attack not only Israel but also U.S. assets in the Middle East and the infrastructure of allied countries. It has also raised the possibility of closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint for global oil shipments.
Israel sounded air defense sirens nationwide for civilian preparedness and announced the closure of business sites and school shutdowns. Immediately after Israel and Iran began airstrikes, neighboring countries including Iraq also closed their airspace.
The attack came as tensions between the United States and Iran over the nuclear program and ballistic missiles peaked. The United States deployed two aircraft carrier strike groups and a large number of fighter jets to the Middle East to pressure Iran, while holding three rounds of nuclear talks in Switzerland and Oman. In the end, however, it chose force over diplomacy.
Direct clashes between Israel and Iran come about eight months after the so-called "12-day war" in Jun. last year, when Iran's nuclear facilities and military command suffered heavy blows. If a U.S.-Iran clash escalates in earnest, the global security order—already shaken by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza—will likely deteriorate further, and shocks to the world economy, including international oil prices and maritime logistics, will be unavoidable.