Timeline
February 26, 2026 — March 2, 2026
World
Timeline: How the US-Israeli Strike on Iran Engulfed Lebanon in 5 Days
Between February 26 and March 2, 2026, escalating tensions between the US and Iran erupted into military conflict that rapidly spread to Lebanon. What began as warnings and diplomatic posturing transformed into a multi-front war after a joint US-Israeli operation killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering Hezbollah's entry into the conflict and plunging Lebanon back into war.
12 events · 4 days · 30 source articles
Thu, Feb 26, 2026
Moderate
Lebanon caught between warnings as US-Iran tensions mount
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged Hezbollah not to drag Lebanon into 'another adventure' amid rising US-Iran tensions. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem had previously stated in January that any US attack on Iran would be considered an attack on Hezbollah itself. Israel warned Beirut it would strike hard and target civilian infrastructure if Hezbollah intervened.
Fri, Feb 27, 2026
Major
Hezbollah official sets 'red line' at attacks on Khamenei
A Hezbollah official clarified the group's position, telling AFP that Hezbollah would not intervene militarily in the event of 'limited' US strikes on Iran. However, the official stated that any attack against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be considered a 'red line,' signaling a potential trigger for involvement.
Sat, Feb 28, 2026
Moderate
Iran's regional allies warn of retaliation as conflict looms
Yemen's Houthi militia, part of Iran's 'Axis of Resistance,' warned the US against military aggression and threatened to renew attacks on commercial shipping if war broke out. Similar warnings came from other Iran-backed groups across the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Shiite militias in Iraq.
Sat, Feb 28, 2026
Major
US and Israel launch joint strikes on Iran
The United States and Israel launched coordinated air strikes on Iran early Saturday morning, targeting over 1,000 Iranian sites. The attacks marked a dramatic escalation in the conflict and put Lebanon on high alert as Hezbollah's previously stated 'red line' conditions came into focus.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
Khamenei killed in strikes; Hezbollah pledges confrontation
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the US-Israeli attacks along with other senior Iranian leaders. Hezbollah issued a statement pledging to fulfill its duty in 'confronting aggression,' crossing the 'red line' the group had previously established. Three US service members were also killed during the Iran operation.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
Hezbollah launches rocket attack on Israel; Beirut bombed in retaliation
Hezbollah launched a major rocket and drone attack against a military base near Haifa in northern Israel, marking its first attack on Israel in over a year. The group said the attack was in retaliation for Khamenei's killing and 'in defence of Lebanon and its people.' Israeli jets immediately bombed southern Beirut in response.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
Israeli strikes kill at least 31 in Lebanon as war widens
Israeli strikes killed at least 31 people and injured around 150 in Lebanon as the conflict escalated. The Israeli military vowed that Hezbollah would pay a 'heavy price' for its attacks. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that Hezbollah had 'officially entered the war,' marking a significant expansion of the conflict.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
Mass evacuations begin as Israel strikes Hezbollah across Lebanon
The Israeli military began striking Iran-backed Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, leading to mass evacuations from southern Beirut and other areas. Thousands fled their homes as Israeli forces issued evacuation orders for more than a dozen locations near the de facto border. The situation created chaotic scenes with bumper-to-bumper traffic and families fleeing on foot.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
Lebanese PM bans Hezbollah military activities
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced an immediate ban on Hezbollah's military and security activities, restricting the group to the political sphere only. Salam declared all Hezbollah military activities 'illegal' and called on the group to hand over its weapons to the state, attempting to distance Lebanon from the widening conflict.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
Iranian strikes hit US allies; three US jets downed in friendly fire
The war engulfed more of the Middle East as Iran launched retaliatory strikes across the region, with explosions reported in Qatar, UAE, and Kuwait. Three US F-15E fighter jets were downed over Kuwait in an apparent friendly fire incident during active combat that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Moderate
Israel kills Hezbollah intelligence chief in Beirut strike
Israel announced it had killed Hussein Makled, head of Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters, in a strike on Beirut. Israel and Hezbollah continued trading fire in southern and eastern Lebanon, with Israel issuing further evacuation orders. President Trump vowed that US strikes on Iran would continue until all objectives were met.
Mon, Mar 2, 2026
Major
Iranian-backed militias across region join the fight
Iranian-backed militias across the Middle East, including groups in Iraq, carried out strikes against American forces and partners throughout the region. The conflict had expanded from a bilateral US-Israel operation against Iran into a multi-front regional war involving proxy forces across multiple countries.
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