The Middle East is experiencing the most significant military escalation in recent years. Iran has launched massive strikes against countries in the region, resulting in deaths and injuries among the civilian population in several countries. Learn more about the scale of Iran's attacks and the consequences for the affected countries

From February 28 to March 1, 2026, the Middle East experienced an unprecedented wave of Iranian attacks. Tehran launched massive missile and drone strikes on 11 countries in the region, from Israel to Cyprus. In two days, Iran launched more than 465 missiles and more than 357 drones. There are dead and dozens of wounded in various countries.

We will tell you more about how events unfolded, which countries were most affected, and what caused the escalation.

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Operations “Roaring Lion” and “Epic Fury”: why did Iran start the shelling?

On the morning of February 28, 2026, Israel and the United States simultaneously launched a large-scale military operation against Iran. Israel called its part “Roaring Lion,” and the Pentagon called it “Epic Fury.” Dozens of Iranian cities were hit, including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Shahriar, and Tabriz. The attacks targeted military and nuclear facilities, as well as the residences of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Satellite images showed that Khamenei's palace had been completely destroyed.

Reuters initially reported that Khamenei had been taken to a safe location, but later confirmed his death, citing a senior Israeli official. US President Donald Trump officially announced that Iran's supreme leader had been killed, calling it “the greatest opportunity for the Iranian people to take back their country.” In addition to Khamenei, at least four members of his family, Iran's defense minister and chief of staff, as well as a number of other high-ranking officials were killed in the strikes. The IDF confirmed the elimination of seven senior Iranian officials.

Which countries did Iran attack and how many missiles were launched?

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the start of a large-scale “response” — missile and drone strikes on Israel and US military bases in allied countries in the Persian Gulf. Iranian state television reported attacks on four US military facilities in the region. In fact, the strikes affected both military and civilian facilities and infrastructure in 11 countries.

According to estimates, the total number of missiles and drones launched by Iran between February 28 and March 1 was distributed as follows: Israel — more than 200 missiles and more than 12 drones;

UAE — 140 missiles and 270 drones (according to separate data from the UAE Ministry of Defense — 165 ballistic missiles and 541 drones, most of which were intercepted); Qatar — 66 missiles; Bahrain — 45 missiles and 9 drones; Jordan — 13 missiles and approximately 36 drones; Iraq — 7 missile and drone strikes over Erbil, several dozen drones; Kuwait — several missiles and more than 2 drones; Oman — 3 drones; Cyprus — 2 missiles; Saudi Arabia — up to 2 missiles or drones; Syria — at least 1 missile.

Victims of Iranian attacks: dead and wounded in countries in the region

The most tragic consequences were recorded in Israel. In the city of Beit Shemesh, located west of Jerusalem, an Iranian missile hit a residential building directly. According to Israeli police and civil defense services, at least nine people were killed. The Magen David Adom national emergency service reported that 23 people were rescued from the rubble, two of whom are in serious condition. The building partially collapsed as a result of a direct hit. In Tel Aviv, about 20 people were injured by a ballistic missile strike, with one person seriously injured.

In the UAE, according to the country's Ministry of Defense, three people were killed — citizens of Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Another 58 people were injured. In Dubai, rocket debris hit a skyscraper, and there were separate reports of another person killed by debris. In Kuwait, one person was killed and 32 were injured in the attacks, all of whom were foreign nationals. In addition, an Iranian strike drone attacked Kuwait International Airport on the evening of February 28, causing minor injuries to several employees. In total, more than ten people were killed and over a hundred injured across the region in two days of shelling.

Explosions in Dubai, Doha, and Manama on March 1

On the morning of March 1, a series of new explosions rocked the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain. In Doha, the capital of Qatar, eyewitnesses heard several loud bangs and saw thick black smoke in the south of the city. In Dubai, plumes of white smoke from intercepted missiles were observed, and dark smoke was visible above the port of Jebel Ali. At least four powerful explosions rocked the Bahraini capital of Manama.

The Qatari authorities sent mobile alerts to the population urging them to stay at home. The country's Ministry of Defense confirmed that air defense systems had intercepted Iranian missiles.

Airports in Dubai suspended all flights indefinitely, and the UAE partially closed its airspace, leaving many travelers stranded. Airspace was also closed in Israel and Iran itself.

Air defense: how many missiles and drones were intercepted?

A significant portion of Iranian missiles and drones were neutralized in the air thanks to air defense and missile defense systems. The UAE Ministry of Defense released the most detailed report: of the 165 ballistic missiles launched at the country, 152 were destroyed and 13 fell into the sea. Two cruise missiles were also intercepted. Of the 541 drones detected in the air, 506 were shot down and 35 fell on the country's territory. Some debris from the downed targets caused minor and moderate damage to civilian objects.

Qatar reported the successful interception of Iranian missiles by air defense systems. In Israel, the army said that air defenses worked to intercept ballistic missiles, although some missiles still reached their targets. US air defense systems also intercepted Iranian missiles and drones over Erbil in Iraq, where a US air base is located.

Israeli strikes on Tehran and escalation with Hezbollah

On March 1, the Israeli Air Force struck targets in the heart of Tehran for the first time. The IDF reported an attack on the headquarters of the Iranian regime, noting that over the previous day, Israeli aircraft had established air superiority for further operations. Eyewitnesses in Tehran reported thick smoke rising above certain areas of the capital. Iranian authorities reported more than 200 deaths since the start of the bombing, with shock waves shattering windows throughout the city.

At the same time, the situation escalated on Israel's northern border. On Monday morning, a Hezbollah rocket crossed into Israeli territory from Lebanon — the first such incident in over a year. The Israeli army intercepted it, noting that several others had fallen in open areas. In response, Israel launched a series of strikes on Beirut. Lebanese officials called on Hezbollah to refrain from entering the conflict on Iran's side, fearing another devastating war for the country.

Civilian casualties in Iran and destruction of infrastructure

The strikes by the US and Israeli coalition caused significant casualties among the Iranian civilian population. According to Iranian media reports, at least 85 people were killed and many others wounded in an air strike on a girls' school in Minab (Khorasan province). A strike on a school in Tehran also claimed the lives of two people. Iran's airspace was completely closed, and the internet in the country was almost completely shut down.

The Iranian authorities announced 40 days of mourning for Khamenei and a seven-day weekend. Trump, for his part, said that “intensive and targeted bombing” of Iran would continue for a week or “as long as necessary to achieve the goal.” According to Politico, the UK has allowed the US to use the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean and the Fairford airbase for strikes against Iran's missile capabilities.

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