U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran began a war that continued into September
U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28, 2026, and the conflict was still ongoing nearly seven months later. The accounts include sharply different views of the war’s purpose and effects, alongside reports of military damage, civilian deaths and wider economic costs.
Key points
- Reports place the start of the war on February 28, when the United States and Israel struck Iran.
Evidence · 3 source statements
the United States and Israel launched their criminal war on Iran on February 28.
On February 28, American and Israeli forces launched their war against Iran.
- By September, the conflict was still underway, with reports describing continued attacks and stalled negotiations.
Evidence · 3 source statements
You are seven months into this. It is still going on. It's very unpopular in the U.S. There are big costs for Americans, for those around the world.
The war between the two countries remains deadlocked, with occasional exchanges of attacks and negotiations stalled.
- The parties’ accounts of the war differ: Israeli leaders said it was intended to weaken Iran’s military and address threats, while Iranian officials described U.S. pressure on Iran.
Evidence · 2 source statements
to degrade the Iranian regime’s military capabilities, distance threats posed by Iran — including its nuclear and ballistic missile programs — and “create the conditions” for the…
Iran has been under unprecedented US military and economic pressure for six months, since late February.
- Reports also described effects beyond the battlefield, including higher energy prices and inflation.
Evidence · 1 source statement
The conflict drove inflation to its highest levels in three years and sharply increased energy prices.
Who's involved
Donald Trump
He led the U.S. government during the war and spoke about its course and possible end.
Trump was reported to have expected Iran to capitulate. He said the administration was no longer looking for a deal, while also predicting a deal after the election and saying the war would end after the midterms.
What they said · 4 source statements
He thought the Iranians were going to capitulate. They were ready to surrender.
Earlier this month, he said the administration is not looking for a deal anymore.
I believe we'll make a deal after the election.
Trump has said the war will end after the midterms
Israeli military and other Israeli leaders
They were involved in the strikes and described Israel’s aims in the war.
They said the war aimed to weaken Iran’s military capabilities, address threats including its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and create conditions for Iranians to topple the regime.
What they said · 1 source statement
to degrade the Iranian regime’s military capabilities, distance threats posed by Iran — including its nuclear and ballistic missile programs — and “create the conditions” for the…
Kazem Jalali
Iran’s ambassador to Russia described the pressure Iran faced during the conflict.
Jalali said Iran had been under unprecedented U.S. military and economic pressure since late February.
What they said · 1 source statement
Iran has been under unprecedented US military and economic pressure for six months, since late February.
Tehran
Iran’s government was a direct party to the conflict and to disputes over its nuclear program.
Tehran denied the claim that Iran was secretly building a nuclear weapon.
What they said · 1 source statement
a claim denied by Tehran.
Vali Nasr
The Johns Hopkins scholar offered an assessment of Iran’s wartime strategy.
Nasr said Iran sought to retaliate disproportionately and appear unrestrained to the United States.
What they said · 1 source statement
To be far more aggressive, to retaliate in a disproportionate way and to actually appear to the United States to be unrestrained.
Where accounts differ
How long the war had lasted by September
- One report described Iran as having faced pressure for six months since late February.
Evidence · 1 source statement
Iran has been under unprecedented US military and economic pressure for six months, since late February.
- Other reports described the war as being in its seventh month.
Evidence · 2 source statements
You are seven months into this. It is still going on. It's very unpopular in the U.S. There are big costs for Americans, for those around the world.
The descriptions can reflect counting six completed months versus saying the conflict was in its seventh month.
What was reported
- Mehr News Agency said the United States and Israel launched their attack on February 28; Tehran Times and RIA Novosti also gave that date for the start of the war or strikes.
Reported independently by 3: Mehr News Agency, RIA Novosti, Tehran Times
Evidence · 3 source statements
the United States and Israel launched their criminal war on Iran on February 28.
On February 28, American and Israeli forces launched their war against Iran.
- PBS NewsHour reported that U.S. and Israeli strikes had killed much of Iran’s top leadership and destroyed its air force and navy.
One source: Associated Press
Evidence · 1 source statement
strikes by the United States and Israel have killed much of Iran's top leadership and destroyed its air force and navy
- Tehran Times reported that a U.S. Tomahawk missile hit a school in Minah, killing approximately 170 people, mostly schoolchildren.
One source: Tehran Times
Evidence · 1 source statement
A school in the southern city of Minah was also hit by a US Tomahawk missile, resulting in approximately 170 deaths, mostly schoolchildren.
- The Times of Israel reported that Iranian ballistic missile attacks killed 21 Israeli civilians and foreign nationals in Israel and four Palestinians in the West Bank during the war.
One source: The Times of Israel
Evidence · 1 source statement
During this year’s war, 21 Israeli civilians and foreign nationals were killed in Israel in Iranian ballistic missile attacks, along with four Palestinians in the West Bank.
- The Guardian said the conflict contributed to inflation reaching its highest level in three years and sharply increased energy prices.
One source: The Guardian
Evidence · 1 source statement
The conflict drove inflation to its highest levels in three years and sharply increased energy prices.
- A report relaying EFE described the war as deadlocked, with occasional attacks and stalled negotiations.
One source: EFE
Evidence · 1 source statement
The war between the two countries remains deadlocked, with occasional exchanges of attacks and negotiations stalled.
How coverage differed
Iranian state media — These reports characterized the war as aggression by the United States and Israel; Tehran Times also reported the school deaths in Minah.
Israeli outlets — These reports included Israeli leaders’ stated military aims and reported Israeli and Palestinian deaths from Iranian missile attacks.
Still unclear
- No ceasefire or final settlement is noted.
Not heard from
- Civilians affected in Iran and Israel — Reports describe civilian deaths, but the claims include no direct statements from affected civilians or their families.