Trump says actions against Iran may last about 4 weeks, Iran launches large-scale attack operations

Since the morning of February 28 local time, approximately 40 hours have passed since Israel and the United States began military strikes against Iran. As of late night on March 1, explosions could still be heard intermittently in Tehran, the capital of Iran.

In response, Iran launched a large-scale counterattack. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on March 1 that it would carry out "the most intense offensive operation in history" against U.S. and Israeli military bases. So far, Iran's strikes have reached the ninth round, with at least 27 U.S. military bases in the Middle East and surrounding areas being attacked, and the conflict gradually spreading to multiple countries in the region.

Trump: Military action against Iran may last about 4 weeks

On March 1, local time, U.S. President Trump stated that military action against Iran could last about four weeks. Trump described Iran as "a major power" and indicated that the military operation might take about four weeks to complete, "or shorter," which is "the current government's expected assessment of the timeline for military action."

On March 1, Trump posted on social media that the U.S. had destroyed and sunk 9 Iranian naval vessels, some of which were "large and significant," and stated that the U.S. would continue to target the remaining ships. He also mentioned that in another attack, the U.S. had "essentially destroyed" the Iranian Navy headquarters.

On the same day, the U.S. Central Command announced on social media that U.S. forces had recently conducted a large-scale strike operation, destroying the headquarters of the IRGC, and stated that "the Revolutionary Guard no longer has a headquarters."

The U.S. claims military action against Iran does not involve nuclear facilities

On March 1, local time, U.S. military officials released information about some of the forces and equipment used in the military action against Iran, explaining the main target categories of the strikes. The U.S. military emphasized that the targets listed in the public information do not include Iranian nuclear facilities, and some specific operational capabilities have not been disclosed.

This military action involved U.S. air power, including B-2 stealth bombers, various fighter jets, electronic warfare aircraft, reconnaissance planes, and drones, along with support from nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, missile destroyers, and ground rocket systems. Missile defense systems such as "Patriot" and "THAAD" were also deployed to intercept potential counterattacks. The military stated that aerial refueling and transport aircraft were also used for logistical support during the operation.

Regarding the targets of the strikes, the U.S. stated that it focused on Iran's military command and control systems, IRGC-related headquarters, air defense systems, ballistic missile bases, as well as some naval vessels and anti-ship missile positions.

Iran claims to have shot down over twenty U.S. and Israeli drones

On the night of March 1, the IRGC announced that the ninth round of the "Real Commitment 4" operation targeting U.S. objectives in Israel and the region had begun.

The IRGC announced that to date, it had shot down 20 "Shahed" drones (referred to as "Hermes" drones by Iran) and 2 U.S. MQ-9 drones.

Multiple military commanders confirmed dead; Iran's interim leadership committee has been established

On the night of March 1, Iranian sources reported that several commanders of the Iranian military had been confirmed dead.

These individuals include:

Mohammad Shirazi, Director of the Military Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran;

Saleh Asadi, Deputy Minister of Intelligence of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran;

Mohammad Darebaghi, Deputy Minister of Logistics and Support of the Armed Forces of Iran;

Akbar Ibrahimzadeh, Deputy Director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Iran;

Gholamreza Rezaian, Director of the Intelligence Bureau of the Police Force;

Bahram Hosseini Motaleq, Director of the Planning and Operations Bureau of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran;

Hassan Ali Tajik, Director of the Preparation and Support Bureau of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, among others.

On March 1, the Iranian Chief Justice Ejei officially announced that the interim leadership committee had been established in accordance with the law and was fulfilling its duties in the most efficient manner.

In his speech, he sternly warned external forces, stating that the vacancies left by the fallen generals would be immediately filled by new "standard bearers." He emphasized that the Iranian government and people would never be crushed by these "cunning and brutal" enemy terrorist acts or psychological warfare. As of late that day, the interim leadership committee of Iran had held its second official meeting.

Iranian state television attacked; two staff members killed

On the evening of March 1, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reported that its headquarters building had been attacked by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, causing damage to some facilities. At the time of the attack, the Iranian state television was broadcasting images of people gathering in Tehran's Revolution Square to mourn the Supreme Leader Khamenei. The strong shockwave from the explosions caused damage to the building and resulted in the deaths of two staff members.

As of now, the IRIB is still broadcasting programs normally.

The IRIB headquarters building had previously been targeted in a missile attack during the military conflict between Israel and Iran in June of last year.

Joint statement from the UK, France, and Germany: Possible "necessary defensive actions" against Iran

On March 1, local time, leaders of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany issued a joint statement indicating that they might take "necessary defensive actions" against Iran. The leaders of the three countries have agreed to cooperate with the United States and other allies in the region.

Reporter: Li Jiannan, Wang Zheng, Zhang Yingzhe, Yang Jingjing