Missile launch from Lebanon targeting Israeli territory. Photo Reuters / Gil Eliyahu.
- Iran continues to shell neighboring Arab countries where American military facilities are located and restricts shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil supplies.
- U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. government will insure tankers in this region, and the U.S. Navy will provide protection for them when passing through the strait if necessary.
- The negative consequences for oil supplies from the region are leading to declines in global stock markets, as investors are concerned about a potential new wave of inflation amid the energy crisis.
- In Lebanon, Iranian allies from "Hezbollah" have begun shelling Israel, to which Israeli forces responded with airstrikes and reinforced their positions on the southern border. The Syrian Ministry of Defense also announced increased security at the border with Lebanon.
- According to Trump, U.S. armed forces struck numerous maritime and aviation targets in Iran, stating that "almost everything was destroyed."
- According to Iranian sources, dozens of people have died in the region since the start of U.S. and Israeli attacks. Iran reports 787 casualties, including 165 schoolgirls.
- Iranian drones attacked the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia, and there was a previous attack on the American mission in Kuwait. In response, Washington closed both embassies and ordered the evacuation of some staff and their families from several countries in the region.
- Iranian media reported the complete destruction of the building housing the Council of Experts of Iran, which is authorized to select a new Supreme Leader in the event of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's departure.
- Leaders of Israel and the U.S. hope that these attacks may provoke internal unrest in Iran; however, as of now, Reuters reports no signs of destabilization in the country.
- In his statement, Trump noted that he ordered support for Israel's strikes on Iran, as he believes Tehran was preparing for an attack. This statement contradicts the version presented by the U.S. Secretary of State the day before regarding the reasons for the conflict's onset.
- Additionally, Trump threatened to halt trade with Spain after Madrid denied access to American military forces to its bases for operations related to strikes on Iran.
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On the morning of February 28, Israel and the United States struck Iran. Donald Trump announced the intention to destroy the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic.In response, Iran began attacking the territory of Israel and other Middle Eastern states where American military facilities are located. Strikes were carried out on Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai (UAE), as well as Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).
As a result of the U.S.-Israeli attack, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed. His wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh, died from injuries sustained.
Trump also stated that the military operation in Iran would last about four weeks. Iran declared jihad against the U.S. and Israel, emphasizing that there would be no negotiations.
The situation in the Middle East has global implications, including its impact on Kyrgyzstan. Currently, thousands of tourists are stranded in the UAE due to the conflict. Contact details for embassies and consulates for Kyrgyz citizens abroad can be found here.
