24 Hours Later: How the Situation of the US-Israel Raid on Iran Has Evolved

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 1 - Around 14:20 Beijing time on February 28, Xinhua reporters in Tehran, the capital of Iran, heard explosions. The United States and Israel launched a military strike against Iran. On March 1, multiple Iranian media confirmed that Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei was killed. As of 14:20 Beijing time on March 1, how has the situation evolved in the past 24 hours? What is the current situation?

According to Xinhua reports, the summary is as follows:

——Around 14:20 Beijing time on February 28

At around 9:50 AM Iran time (14:20 Beijing time), Xinhua reporters heard explosions in downtown Tehran.

——Around 14:30 Beijing time on February 28

At around 8:30 AM Israel time (14:30 Beijing time), Israeli Defense Minister Katz confirmed that a "preemptive" strike had been launched against Iran, announcing a state of emergency across Israel. The Israel Defense Forces stated that alarms were sounded throughout the country, and they sent alerts directly to mobile users, instructing the public to stay near shelters.

Almost simultaneously, the Iranian Fars News Agency reported that multiple missiles hit several targets in downtown Tehran. Reports indicated that explosions were also heard in Isfahan, Qom, and Kermanshah. According to the Associated Press, an attack occurred near the office of Iran's Supreme Leader.

——Around 14:40 Beijing time on February 28

Israeli media, citing security sources, reported that the attack on Iran was a joint operation by Israel and the United States.

——Around 15:00 Beijing time on February 28

Israel closed its airspace. Almost simultaneously, the Iranian Mehr News Agency reported that Iran had closed its airspace.

Sources from Israeli security agencies stated that the U.S. and Israel assessed in the past 24 hours that it was "no longer possible" to reach an agreement with Iran through negotiations. U.S. officials indicated that the airstrikes aimed to destroy Iran's security infrastructure.

——Around 15:30 Beijing time on February 28

At around 2:30 PM Eastern Time (15:30 Beijing time), U.S. President Trump stated that the U.S. was conducting large-scale military operations against Iran, aiming to "flatten" Iran's missile industry. Trump also claimed that Iran was developing long-range missiles that threaten the U.S. The purpose of the attack was to destroy Iran's missile industry, eliminate the Iranian navy, and ensure that Iran could not acquire nuclear weapons.

According to Israeli sources, the first phase of the strike against Iran will last four days, targeting all leaders, including Khamenei.

——Around 16:00 Beijing time on February 28

Iranian media reported that Iran was preparing to launch a "devastating retaliatory strike" against Israel.

Shortly before, Saudi Arabia's Al Arabiya television reported that a building in Tel Aviv, Israel, was engulfed in thick smoke.

Israel reported detecting missile launches from Iran. Subsequently, Israeli media reported explosions in northern Israel. The Israeli government urged the public to immediately enter shelters. Air raid sirens sounded in multiple locations across Israel, and people were seen running into shelters on the streets of Tel Aviv.

——Around 16:30 Beijing time on February 28

Xinhua reporters in Tehran heard two large explosions, followed by a series of explosions in Tehran.

According to the Iranian Nour News Agency, Iran launched dozens of missiles at Israel.

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement saying that in response to the aggression, Iran had begun large-scale missile and drone attacks on "territories occupied by Israel."

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a statement saying that Iran "must never have nuclear weapons." Netanyahu stated that the joint military operation by Israel and the U.S. aimed to eliminate the existential threat posed by the Iranian regime. He also urged the Israeli public to follow the instructions of the local defense command.

——Around 17:00 Beijing time on February 28

A senior Iranian official stated that Iran's retaliation would have no red lines, and anything was possible, including scenarios that had never been considered before. The official said, "We are not surprised by the U.S.-Israeli aggression. We will respond comprehensively, without time limits."

According to Israeli media reports, explosions occurred in multiple locations in Israel. Israel intercepted one missile. The Haifa area in northern Israel reported "damage," with details unclear.

——Around 17:30 Beijing time on February 28

Iranian media reported that Iran was striking U.S. military bases in the Middle East. Middle Eastern media reported explosions in Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, and other locations, with the U.S. Fifth Fleet service center in Bahrain being hit by missile attacks.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling for the United Nations to fulfill its responsibilities and take action against the military aggression of the U.S. and Israel against Iran.

——Around 18:30 Beijing time on February 28

In response to rumors of the assassination of Iranian Army Chief of Staff Hatami, Iranian media reported that Hatami was safe.

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a second statement announcing the launch of a counterattack operation code-named "Real Commitment-4" against the U.S. and Israel. The statement said that the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, U.S. military bases in Qatar, the UAE, and other locations, as well as military and security centers in Israel.

——Around 19:00 Beijing time on February 28

Iranian media reported that an elementary school in Iran was hit by Israeli missiles, with casualties continuing to rise.

According to the Iranian Tasnim News Agency, the death toll from the attack on the Iranian elementary school during the U.S. and Israeli military operations rose to 148, with another 95 injured.

Iranian President Pezeshkian issued a statement, "strongly condemning this inhumane atrocity."

——Around 20:00 Beijing time on February 28

Yusuf Pezeshkian, son of Iranian President Pezeshkian, stated on social media that his father and several Iranian officials were safe, and the enemy's "assassination attempt" had failed.

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that a radar deployed by U.S. forces in Qatar had been "completely destroyed," which was used to track ballistic missiles with a detection range of 5,000 kilometers.

——Around 23:00 Beijing time on February 28

The Israel Defense Forces stated that they had completed a "large-scale strike" on Iran's strategic defense systems, severely weakening Iran's defense capabilities. The Israeli military released a statement saying that, under the guidance of intelligence agencies, they "completed a large-scale strike on the strategic defense systems of the Iranian regime," with one strike targeting the SA-65 air defense system located in western Iran.

According to the Iranian Islamic Republic Broadcasting and Television, oil tanker transportation in the Strait of Hormuz has come to a standstill due to the joint military actions initiated by the U.S. and Israel against Iran.

——Around 00:00 Beijing time on March 1

Multiple Iranian media outlets reported the results of Iran's counterattack against U.S. military operations, indicating that Iran conducted a "series of simultaneous large-scale" missile strikes against U.S. military bases in the Middle East, with at least 14 U.S. bases targeted. Reports stated that a U.S. combat support ship was heavily damaged by missiles from the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and other U.S. Navy facilities in the Middle East would also fall within the strike range of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' missile and drone units.

The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting regarding the escalation of military conflict in the Middle East.

——Around 01:00 Beijing time on March 1

The Israel Defense Forces released a statement saying that they had begun a new round of strikes against missile launchers and air defense systems in central Iran.

——Around 03:40 Beijing time on March 1

The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported that Israeli and U.S. airstrikes hit 24 provinces in Iran that day, resulting in 201 deaths and 747 injuries. Currently, 220 rescue teams have been fully mobilized.

——Around 08:30 Beijing time on March 1

The Iranian Fars News Agency cited sources close to the office of the Supreme Leader of Iran, stating that four relatives of Khamenei, including his daughter and son-in-law, were killed.

——Around 09:30 Beijing time on March 1

According to Iranian media reports, Khamenei was killed. Subsequently, multiple Iranian media outlets confirmed this news. Iranian media stated that Khamenei "sacrificed his life at his post in the leader's office," while he was fulfilling his duties.

The Iranian government announced a 40-day national mourning period.

Shortly before, Trump posted on social media that Khamenei "is dead" and stated that the bombing of Iran by the U.S. and Israel would continue.

——Around 10:30 Beijing time on March 1

U.S. CBS News cited two anonymous U.S. officials reporting that about 40 Iranian officials, including Iran's Defense Minister, were killed in the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. The report stated that these officials were believed to include Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and Commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Mohammad Pakpour.

——Around 13:30 Beijing time on March 1

Iranian Islamic Consultative Assembly Speaker Ghalibaf stated that Iran is prepared for various scenarios, including contingency plans for the phase following the martyrdom of Supreme Leader Khamenei.

——Around 14:00 Beijing time on March 1

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Larijani stated that a temporary leadership committee would be established soon, and a new Supreme Leader would be elected. (Comprehensive Xinhua reports)