Iran targets US bases amid joint US‑Israel attacks

DW News · Feb 28, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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Skip next section Strikes on Iran renew fears over Strait of HormuzFebruary 28, 2026Strikes on Iran renew fears over Strait of HormuzThe Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway that lies between Oman and Iran, and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian SeaImage: Hamad I Mohammed/REUTERSThe United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday, an escalation that could lead to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil shipping route at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, signalling that it can disrupt the vital maritime artery that carries a fifth of the world's oil consumption. If Iran were to follow through on its threat, oil prices could rise sharply, which would deal a massive blow to the global economy. In February, oil prices rose to their highest levels in months as traders worried about the consequences of US military strikes on Iran. DW looks at the importance of this strategic waterway and who will be hit the hardest by its potential disruption. https://p.dw.com/p/59aBwSkip next section Airstrike on school in southern Iran kills dozens of girls — reportsFebruary 28, 2026Airstrike on school in southern Iran kills dozens of girls — reportsA US-Israeli strike reportedly hit a girls' school in the southern Iranian province of Hormozgan, causing dozens of deaths. The attack killed at least 40 students at Shajare Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, news agencies reported, quoting provincial officials. Hormozgan province is located near the strategic sea route of the Strait of Hormuz, and hosts several Iranian naval bases. https://p.dw.com/p/59aAjSkip next section Russia urges US and Israel to stop strikesFebruary 28, 2026Russia urges US and Israel to stop strikesRussia on Saturday urged an immediate halt to US and ‌Israeli ⁠strikes ⁠on Iran and said that a return must be made " to the path ​of political and diplomatic ​settlement." In a statement, the Foreign Ministry called on the international community to quickly come up with an objective assessment of the attacks. It called them "a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state," saying the US and Israel were actually pursuing regime change under the guise of concern about Iran's nuclear program. The ministry said Moscow remained ready, as before, to help find peaceful solutions based on international law, mutual respect and a balance of interests. https://p.dw.com/p/59a3vSkip next section Gulf countries condemn Iranian missile attacksFebruary 28, 2026Gulf countries condemn Iranian missile attacksQatar said it considers the Iranian attack a blatant violation of its national sovereignty and reserves the right to respondImage: Mohammed Salem/REUTERSThe United Arab Emirates announced that its air defenses had intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles, responding with high efficiency and successfully intercepting several of them. Abu Dhabi said it "reserves its full right to respond," slamming the attacks as "a dangerous escalation". Qatar also condemned an Iranian ballistic missile attack on its territory after several explosions were heard in Doha. In a statement, the country's Foreign Ministry said Qatar considers this a blatant violation of its national sovereignty and reserves the right to respond to the attack. Kuwait's Chief of Staff said in a statement that "air defense systems engaged incoming missiles detected in the airspace." Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the Iranian strikes on US military targets in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan, which were in response to US-Israeli attacks launched earlier on Saturday. In a Foreign Ministry statement published by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, the kingdom expressed solidarity with the five countries and promised support for any measures they take in response. https://p.dw.com/p/59a19Skip next section Indonesia offers to mediate between Iran and USFebruary 28, 2026Indonesia offers to mediate between Iran and USIndonesian President Prabowo Subianto is prepared to mediate between Washington and Tehran, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on X. "Indonesia calls on all parties to exercise restraint and to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy," it read. The statement also emphasized the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every country and resolving differences through peaceful means. "The Government of Indonesia... expresses its readiness to facilitate dialogue to restore a conducive security condition and, if agreed by both parties, the President of Indonesia is prepared to travel to Tehran to carry out mediation." https://p.dw.com/p/59a20Skip next section EU's von der Leyen calls for 'maximum restraint'February 28, 2026EU's von der Leyen calls for 'maximum restraint'The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has called the situation in Iran "greatly concerning," saying that the EU reaffirmed "our steadfast commitment to safeguarding regional security and stability." Von der Leyen said in a statement on X that it was of "critical importance" to ensure nuclear safety and to prevent "any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime." She said the EU had responded to actions by "Iran's murderous regime" with sanctions, while promoting "diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the nuclear and ballistic programs through a negotiated solution." "We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law," she added. Her remarks come after both the US and Israel said their attacks on Iran aim to combat the alleged global security threat posed by the country because of its nuclear and missile programs. https://p.dw.com/p/59a0RSkip next section Germany informed in advance about attacks on IranFebruary 28, 2026Germany informed in advance about attacks on IranBerlin was informed in advance on ​Saturday morning about the US-Israeli ​military ‌strikes on Iran, German ‌government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius ‌said. He added that Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government is in contact with its European allies to coordinate a unified response to the attacks. "The government is watching the developments closely and is in close coordination with our European partners," Kornelius said. He called on German nationals currently in Iran, Israel and the broader region to register on Germany's ELEFAND electronic precautionary crisis list, which records contact data for providing information and support. The German Foreign Office also called on German citizens in the region to heed the instructions of local authorities regarding measures to ensure their safety. https://p.dw.com/p/59a06Skip next section Iran confirms it attacked US sites in region February 28, 2026Iran confirms it attacked US sites in region Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed targeting several US facilities in the region, saying it was in retaliation for attacks on Iran by Israel and the US. "The IRGC's missiles and drones have struck the headquarters of the US Navy's 5 Fleet in Bahrain and other American bases in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as military and security centers in the heart of the occupied territories, with severe blows," the Guard said in a statement carried by the Tasnim news agency. Apart from one death in the United Arab Emirates, there have been no reports of damage in these areas. The IRGC added that Iranian attacks with missiles and drones are ongoing, and that more information will be released later. https://p.dw.com/p/59ZtvSkip next section US-Israel strikes targeted Supreme Leader Khamenei — reportsFebruary 28, 2026US-Israel strikes targeted Supreme Leader Khamenei — reportsThe US and Israel reportedly targeted Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian with their attacks on Saturday. "Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were among the targets of the attack," the AFP news agency reported, citing the Israeli public broadcaster KAN. The Reuters news agency also reported the same, quoting an unnamed Israeli official, who did not provide additional details. https://p.dw.com/p/59ZszSkip next section MAP: Where have the US and Israel attacked in Iran?February 28, 2026MAP: Where have the US and Israel attacked in Iran?https://p.dw.com/p/59Zt1Skip next section EU calls situation in Middle East 'perilous'February 28, 2026EU calls situation in Middle East 'perilous'The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, has described current events in the Middle East as "perilous" and called for civilians to be protected. "The latest developments across the Middle East are perilous," she wrote on the messaging platform X, saying that "protection of civilians and international humanitarian law is a priority." While not explicitly backing the actions taken against Iran by the US and Israel, she said that the Islamic Republic posed "a serious threat to global security" with its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, and its support for regional terror groups. "The EU has adopted strong sanctions against Iran and supported diplomatic solutions, including on the nuclear issue," she said. She said the bloc was helping EU citizens to leave the region and withdrawing non-essential personnel. https://p.dw.com/p/59ZrISkip next section Airlines cancel Mideast flights amid military operationFebruary 28, 2026Airlines cancel Mideast flights amid military operationA slew of global airlines have canceled flights to various destinations across the Middle East amid the volatile security situation in the region. Some countries, including Iran, Iraq and Israel, have also closed their airspaces to civilian traffic. German carrier Lufthansa suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon, and Oman until March 7 and flights ⁠to ​and from Dubai on