Sirens wailing nationwide in Israel — air-raid alerts screaming — as the country braces for retaliation after launching a preemptive strike on Iran early Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the operation targets Iranian military, missile, and nuclear-related threats. Israel has declared a full nationwide state of emergency, shut down airspace, and activated widespread sirens to shelter civilians amid expectations of incoming Iranian drones or ballistic missiles.
In Tehran, multiple massive explosions shook the capital — downtown blasts near the presidential palace, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s offices, University Street, Jomhouri area, and more — with thick smoke plumes rising and shockwaves captured on eyewitness videos. Iranian state media (Fars, Tasnim, IRIB) acknowledge explosions but offer scant details.
Key confirmations pouring in:
• Al Jazeera, NYT, The Guardian, Reuters, CNN, NBC, AP, and others reporting confirmed strikes, Tehran blasts, and Israeli sirens nationwide.
• Some outlets (including NYT) indicate U.S. coordination or joint involvement in the strikes.
• Air-raid sirens also reported ringing in parts of Iran as explosions continued.
Immediate global ripple effects: crypto markets hemorrhaging over $100M in liquidations on risk-off panic, regional airspace restrictions tightening, and evacuation advisories issued for citizens in Iran by multiple countries.
The region is on the knife’s edge — Iranian retaliation appears imminent. The Middle East has just detonated into open conflict. Developing fast. Stay alert.$BTC $ETH $XRP
