War returns to Iran with Israel, US strikes

Published February 28, 2026
  • The US and Israel on Feb 28 launched what they described as a “pre-emptive” joint strike against Iranian targets, with Trump announcing start of “major combat operations”
  • Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated in US-Israeli strikes; Mojtaba Khamenei replaced his father as Iran’s new supreme leader
  • Iran, US agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 8; the truce was later extended indefinitely and remains in place
  • Pakistan hosted the first round of face-to-face talks between the US and Iran in 47 years in April; the talks ended without a breakthrough, but also without a breakdown
  • Iran says no final decision made on deal that Trump hopes could be signed soon