Iran has launched more than 200 ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) toward Israel and military bases hosting U.S. troops across the Middle East, in what officials describe as the largest retaliatory strike since the current conflict began.

According to regional security sources, multiple waves of launches were carried out from different locations, targeting strategic and military sites. Air raid sirens sounded across major cities in Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as air defense systems were activated to intercept incoming threats.

A plume of smoke rises over the Iranian capital Tehran on the morning of February 28. Photo: Reuters

Scope of the Attack

Military analysts say the operation involved a combination of:

• Medium-range ballistic missiles

• One-way attack drones

• Projectiles designed to penetrate advanced air defense systems

Some of the launches were reportedly directed toward facilities in the Gulf region and neighboring countries where U.S. forces are stationed.

From left: Lieutenant General Abdolrahim Mousavi and Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh. Photo: CNN

Israeli and U.S. Response

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that multi-layered air defense systems, including the Iron Dome, were deployed to intercept the incoming barrage. U.S. military installations in the region were placed on heightened alert, with additional defensive measures activated.

Officials have not yet released a full damage assessment, but preliminary reports indicate that a significant number of the missiles and drones were intercepted before reaching densely populated areas.

Protesters gathered outside the White House in Washington D.C. on February 28. Photo: EPA

Escalation Risks

The scale and intensity of the strike mark a significant escalation in hostilities involving Iran, Israel, and U.S. forces in the region. Security experts warn that such a large-scale exchange increases the risk of broader regional conflict, potentially drawing in additional actors.

Global leaders have called for restraint as concerns grow over the stability of key maritime routes and energy markets in the Middle East.

The situation remains fluid, with military and diplomatic developments expected in the coming hours.