The events of Saturday, February 28, 2026, mark a historic and potentially terminal turning point for the Islamic Republic of Iran. In a massive, coordinated daylight operation codenamed "Roaring Lion" by Israel and "Operation Epic Fury" by the United States, allied forces launched a series of "preemptive" strikes across the heart of the Iranian regime.
The most significant development is the direct targeting of the Beit-e Rahbari, the heavily fortified office and residence complex of 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in central Tehran.
1. The Strike on the "Heart of the Regime"
At approximately 12:00 PM Tehran time, seven missiles were confirmed to have struck the district surrounding Khamenei’s residence.
Status of the Supreme Leader: Reports from Reuters and local Iranian officials indicate that Khamenei was not at the location and had been moved to a "secure location" shortly before the strikes.
Symbolic Impact: For the first time in the 47-year history of the Islamic Republic, the physical seat of its ultimate authority has been breached. Footage from Tehran showed black plumes of smoke rising from the Jomhouri area, with some witnesses reacting with a mix of shock and, in some cases, audible celebration.
2. Scope of Operations: "Epic Fury"
Unlike the limited 12-day engagement in June 2025 that focused on nuclear facilities, this campaign—announced by President Donald Trump as "major combat operations"—is broader in scope, targeting military, intelligence, and government infrastructure.
Primary Targets
3. The Political Catalyst: Domestic Collapse
The strikes follow a period of unprecedented domestic instability. President Trump and international human rights groups have cited a "massacre" within Iran, alleging that over 32,000 protesters have been killed by security forces since January 8, 2026.
Regime Change Agenda: In a video address, Trump explicitly called for the Iranian people to "take over your government," signaling that the U.S. objective has shifted from containment to active regime collapse.
Ultimatum Failure: The strikes occurred immediately after the expiration of a U.S. ultimatum regarding Iran's renewed nuclear enrichment and refusal to disarm proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.
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4. Regional and Global Consequences
The immediate aftermath has triggered a "red alert" status across the Middle East:
Iranian Retaliation: The IRGC has already claimed the launch of a "first wave" of drones and missiles targeting Israeli population centers.
Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency. Oil Markets: Global energy markets are in upheaval.
Brent crude has surged toward $73/barrel, with analysts predicting a 15–30% increase if the Strait of Hormuz is blocked. International Silence: China and Russia, while historically aligned with Tehran, have maintained a "restrained" stance. China has focused on diplomatic "restraint" rather than providing military support, suggesting the regime may be increasingly isolated.
Analysis: A "World War Scale" Escalation
The scale of the U.S. naval buildup—including the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln—suggests this is not a one-off "warning shot" but the opening phase of a weeks-long campaign. By striking the Supreme Leader's residence, the U.S. and Israel have removed the final "red line" of the shadow war, moving into a direct confrontation aimed at the complete dismantling of the current clerical order.
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