Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has made a rare public appearance to address the nation amid ongoing military pressure from US and Israel.

On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched a major coordinated military operation against Iran which is dramatic escalation in the long-running tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program and regional influence, The Caspian Post reports.

The strikes reportedly eliminated key figures in Iran’s military and security establishment, including high-ranking commanders, and were part of a broader campaign to disrupt Iran’s command networks and defense capabilities.

In response, Iran launched widespread retaliatory missile and drone attacks not only against Israeli territory but also at American bases and allied facilities across the Gulf region - including in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and other locations.