It's started, how will it end?

At around 10 a.m. local time on February 28, Xinhua reporters in Tehran, the capital of Iran, heard three massive explosions in succession and saw thick smoke rising over multiple areas of the city. About two hours later, Xinhua reporters heard a series of explosions again in Tehran.

On that day, Israeli Defense Minister Katz stated that Israel had launched a "preemptive" strike against Iran. Trump posted a video on social media saying that the U.S. was conducting large-scale military operations in Iran to "level" Iran's missile industry.

The fighting has begun; what will happen next? How do the U.S. and Israel plan to conclude this?

The Iranian Supreme National Security Council issued Announcement No. 1

According to reports, several missiles hit multiple central areas of Tehran. Explosions were also heard in Isfahan, Qom, and Kermanshah.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that the United Nations should fulfill its responsibilities as soon as possible and take action to address the military aggression of the U.S. and Israel against Iran.

According to Iranian media reports on February 28, the Iranian Supreme National Security Council issued Announcement No. 1 stating that the Iranian armed forces had resolutely responded to the military actions of the U.S. and Israel.

The announcement included five reminders:

The U.S. and Israel's actions in Iran will continue, urging residents to seek refuge in safe locations;

The Iranian government is fully prepared, and the public need not worry about supply shortages; avoid crowded places;

All schools are temporarily closed;

Banks will continue to provide services;

Iranian government agencies will operate at 50% capacity.

According to CNN, at the time of the attack on Iran, Trump was spending the weekend at his private residence, Mar-a-Lago. In the video posted on social media, Trump stated that Iran was developing long-range missiles that threaten the U.S. This attack aims to destroy Iran's missile industry, eliminate the Iranian navy, and ensure that Iran cannot acquire nuclear weapons.

Iran's Counterattack

According to Middle Eastern media reports on February 28, after the U.S. and Israel launched a joint military strike against Iran, explosions were heard in Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other places, in addition to Israel.

Iranian television reported that Iran was targeting U.S. military bases in the Middle East. According to Al Arabiya, the U.S. Fifth Fleet service center in Bahrain was hit by a missile attack on that day.

According to the Iranian Nournews agency, Iran launched dozens of missiles at Israel. The Israel Defense Forces stated that Iran fired two waves of missiles at Israel, and the air defense systems were intercepting them. Additionally, Israeli media reported that air raid sirens were activated in multiple areas in northern and central Israel.

Xinhua reporters heard two explosions over the city in Tel Aviv, Israel, on the 28th. Israeli media reported that the air defense systems in northern Israel were "operational."

According to the Iranian Tasnim News Agency, Ibrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said: "We (Iran) warned you (Israel), and now that you have opened this path, the outcome is no longer in your control."

According to Al Jazeera, a senior Iranian official stated that Iran's counterattack has no red lines, and anything is possible, including scenarios that have never been considered before. The official said: "We are not surprised by the U.S. and Israeli aggression. We will respond comprehensively, without any time limits."

More News: What are the main U.S. military bases in the Middle East?

— Qatar: The Al Udeid Air Base, located near Doha, the capital of Qatar, is the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East and the forward command center of the U.S. Central Command, with approximately 10,000 troops stationed. In 2025, Israel and the U.S. launched military strikes against Iran, and Iran fired missiles at this base in retaliation.

— Bahrain: The headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, covering the Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean.

— Saudi Arabia: Prince Sultan Air Base is the main U.S. military base in Saudi Arabia, located about 100 kilometers southeast of the capital, Riyadh. White House documents show that in 2024, more than 2,300 U.S. troops were stationed in Saudi Arabia, with missions including assisting Saudi air defense and providing support for U.S. military aircraft operations.

— UAE: The Al Dhafra Air Base is located south of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. The U.S. Central Command states that this base supports U.S. Air Force operations, reconnaissance, and other missions in the region.

— Iraq: Al Asad Air Base is located in the western Anbar province of Syria, and the Kharir Air Base is located in the northern Kurdish region. In 2020, Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, was killed in a U.S. airstrike, and Iran retaliated by launching missiles at these two bases.

— Jordan: The Muwaffaq Salti Air Base is located about 100 kilometers northeast of Amman, the capital of Jordan, and houses the U.S. Air Force's 332nd Expeditionary Wing.

— Kuwait: The Ali Al Salem Air Base is located south of Kuwait City, the capital of Kuwait, and serves as the forward command center of the U.S. Central Army. There are also Ali Al Salem Air Base, Bilin Camp, and others.

— Turkey: U.S. and other NATO member forces are stationed at the Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. According to foreign media reports, U.S. military also stores a number of nuclear warheads at this base.

Comprehensive reports from Xinhua's foreign correspondents