U.S.-Israel Military Action Triggers Iran's "Most Intense" Retaliation: A 40-Hour Overview of the Middle East Crisis

Since the Israeli and U.S. military strikes against Iran began on the morning of February 28 local time, approximately 40 hours have passed. As of late night on March 1, explosions continue to be heard intermittently in Tehran, the capital of Iran.

In response, Iran has launched large-scale counterattacks. On March 1, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it would carry out the “most intense offensive in history” against U.S. and Israeli military bases. So far, Iran’s retaliatory actions have entered the ninth round, with at least 27 U.S. military bases in the Middle East and surrounding areas targeted, and the fighting gradually spreading to multiple countries in the region.

U.S.-Israeli Attacks Trigger Multiple Iranian Retaliations; Iran Claims Attack on U.S. Aircraft Carrier

Tehran Suffers New Attacks on the Night of March 1

On the afternoon of March 1, Israel’s Defense Forces announced a new round of airstrikes against Iran. Later that evening, explosions were reported in Tehran. The Israeli military then issued a statement saying that the Israeli Air Force had completed a round of airstrikes targeting Tehran.

The IDF stated that over 100 Israeli Air Force fighter jets participated in the strikes, targeting dozens of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps headquarters, including intelligence, air force, and internal security facilities.

Iran’s Islamic Republic Broadcasting announced that its headquarters building was hit in the airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel, with some facilities damaged. Several Iranian TV channels lost broadcast signals that night due to the attacks. Tehran’s Gandi Hospital and a hospital in Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province, were also targeted by Israeli forces that evening.

Earlier, a primary school in Minab, Hormozgan Province, which had been attacked in the U.S.-Israeli military operations, completed rescue efforts that night, with the death toll confirmed at 165.

Iran Launches Multiple Waves of Attacks, Causing 560 U.S. Military Casualties

In response to the earlier U.S.-Israeli strikes, around 8 a.m. on March 1, the IRGC issued a statement declaring the start of the sixth wave of “Operation True Promise 4,” involving large-scale missile and drone attacks against Israeli and U.S. military bases in the region. The statement said 27 U.S. military bases and facilities, including the Iranian Revolutionary Guard headquarters in Hakiriya and the large defense industrial zone in Tel Aviv, were targeted. According to the IRGC’s eighth notice of “Operation True Promise 4” issued that night, Iran’s retaliatory actions had resulted in 560 U.S. casualties.

Later that night, the IRGC announced the ninth wave of “Operation True Promise 4,” targeting Israeli territory and U.S. targets in the region. Explosions were reported in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Iran Claims Attack on U.S. Aircraft Carrier; Multiple Attacks Cause Hundreds of Deaths and Injuries

Additionally, the IRGC announced that the U.S. aircraft carrier “Abraham Lincoln” was hit by four Iranian ballistic missiles. Iran also claimed to have destroyed more than twenty drones, including 20 Israeli “Hermes” drones (referred to as “Hermes” by Iran) and two U.S. MQ-9 drones.

The U.S. military denied the “Lincoln” missile attack, stating that the missiles “did not even come close” to the ship. The U.S. Central Command also released casualty information, confirming three U.S. service members killed and five seriously injured in the attacks.

Tel Aviv and Bnei Shmash in central Israel also reported missile strikes on March 1. Preliminary estimates indicate that Iran’s attacks across multiple locations have resulted in at least 11 deaths. Israeli health authorities updated that since the start of these military operations, 677 people have been hospitalized, most of whom have been discharged, with 166 still in hospital.

According to Tel Aviv city government statistics, at least 40 buildings have been damaged to varying degrees, and over 200 residents have been evacuated.

Iranian state TV also released footage on March 1 showing Iranian IRGC missiles hitting the IDF headquarters building, with visible flames and black smoke.

U.S. and Israel Announce More Details of Attacks on Iran

U.S. President Trump, along with the U.S. military and Israeli forces, issued multiple statements on March 1 regarding the results of the U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran.

Based on the information released by both sides, the military achievements include:

• Sinking 9 Iranian naval vessels;
• “Basically destroying” the Iranian Navy headquarters;
• Destroying the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps headquarters, with the statement that “the Revolutionary Guard no longer has a headquarters”;
• Killing 48 Iranian commanders;
• Completing “clearing operations” against senior leaders across all Iranian fronts.

Conflict Spreads to Multiple Middle Eastern Countries

Regional developments show that the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, and other Middle Eastern countries have all reported attacks. According to information obtained from Iran, at least nine U.S. military bases in the Middle East and surrounding regions are targeted by Iran.

The UAE’s Ministry of Defense posted on social media on March 1 that Iran’s missile and drone attacks on the UAE had caused 3 deaths and 58 injuries.

Statements from the UAE and other sources indicate that Iran’s missile and drone strikes also affected Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Additionally, black smoke was seen rising from Dubai’s Jebel Ali port on March 1. Reports suggest that several U.S. warships are docked there.

△Bahrain International Airport and surrounding buildings were attacked

Following a large explosion in the Bahraini U.S. military base area on February 28, Bahrain’s international airport was attacked by drones in the early hours of March 1. The airport activated emergency protocols and evacuated personnel.

In Iraq, local militia groups such as the “Islamic Resistance” continued drone and rocket attacks on U.S. facilities on February 28 and March 1. On March 1, smoke was seen rising from the U.S. base at Erbil Air Force Base.

Lari Jani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, explained later on March 1 that multiple regional military bases had been targeted. He told regional countries in Arabic: “We have no intention of attacking you. But when your bases are used against us, and when the U.S. uses those bases to carry out operations in the region, we will strike them.” He added that Iran considers these bases not part of the region but U.S. territory.

Multiple Oil Tankers Attacked in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz

In the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s IRGC announced on the evening of February 28 that it would ban all ships from passing through the strait. On March 1, an oil tanker attempting to pass was hit and began sinking.

In the IRGC’s eighth notice issued that night, Iran claimed that three illegal oil tankers operated by the U.S. and UK in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz had been targeted by missile attacks. The IRGC also warned that if Iran’s oil and gas facilities are attacked, all regional oil and gas infrastructure would be destroyed.

Since about 20% of global oil shipping passes through the Strait of Hormuz, analysts believe that a blockade could significantly impact international energy markets, likely causing a sharp rise in oil prices in the short term.

OPEC announced on January 1 that eight major oil-producing countries would increase their daily oil output by 206,000 barrels starting in April.

Iran Forms Temporary Leadership Committee; U.S. and Israel Continue Pressure

On the domestic front, Iran officially announced on March 1 that Supreme Leader Khamenei was killed in the February 28 strikes, “died in the line of duty.” Top military officials, including the Chief of Staff and Defense Minister, also died in the attack.

Iran’s Temporary Leadership Committee Begins Operations

In response to the deaths of Khamenei and other senior officials, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary and Supreme Leader Advisor Larijani announced on March 1 that a leadership committee would be established that day, and a new Supreme Leader would be elected. President Pahlevi, the Minister of Justice, and a constitutional law scholar from the Guardian Council will lead the country.

Later that day, President Pahlevi delivered a video speech stating that the temporary leadership committee had begun functioning and would continue until a new Supreme Leader is chosen. He also said Iran’s armed forces would make enemies “desperate.”

Iran’s Judicial Chief Ejei also officially announced that the temporary leadership committee had been legally established and was fulfilling its duties efficiently. By late night on March 1, the committee had held its second formal meeting, attended by President Pahlevi, Judicial Chief Ejei, members of the Guardian Council, the Vice Chairman of the Experts Assembly, and Alarifi, the head of Iran’s National Seminary.

“Iran Will Persist in the Path Advocated by Khamenei”

Regarding Iran’s future direction, Foreign Minister Araghchi, in a condolence speech for Khamenei, said that Khamenei’s path was one of “faith, resistance, and hope,” which would continue to be followed and upheld by his supporters, and Iran would proceed along its established course.

U.S. President Warns Iran Not to Retaliate

Regarding the IRGC’s statement about launching the “most intense offensive in history,” President Trump responded on March 1, warning: “They better not do that, because if Iran does, we will retaliate with unprecedented force.”

Later that day, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi responded to Trump’s warning, saying: “No one can tell Iran that you do not have the right to self-defense. Iran will defend itself at all costs. There are no limits to protecting the Iranian people.”

Israeli Prime Minister Says Attacks Will Intensify; U.S. President Predicts About Four Weeks of Military Action

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, speaking at the Israel Defense Forces headquarters in Tel Aviv on March 1, said that in the coming days, Israel’s strikes against Iran would intensify.

The IDF also announced that it has mobilized 100,000 reservists for the ongoing conflict with Iran. Ground forces have been reinforced along borders with Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and the West Bank.

According to the Central News Agency, U.S. President Trump estimated that the duration of the military operations against Iran would be about four weeks.

Escalating Conflict but U.S. President Signals Possible Dialogue with Iran

Amid escalating U.S.-Israeli and Iranian confrontations, later on the evening of March 1, reports emerged that President Trump was interested in engaging in dialogue with Iran’s new leadership.

Details showed that Trump, in a phone interview at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, said: “They want to talk, and I agree to talk, so I will talk to them.” He stated that Iran “should have reached an agreement earlier,” calling it “a very practical and easy thing to do, but they waited too long.”

When asked about timing, Trump said he “cannot disclose.” He also mentioned that some Iranian officials involved in negotiations in recent weeks “are no longer there.”

Iran has not yet responded officially to these remarks.