From a surprise decapitation strike to a spreading regional war — a comprehensive record of one of the most consequential conflicts in modern Middle East history.
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched surprise coordinated strikes on Iran under Operation Epic Fury. The opening salvos killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior officials. Iran retaliated with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israel, US bases, and Gulf Arab states. The conflict has since expanded across the Middle East, closing the Strait of Hormuz and triggering a global energy crisis.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters, BBC, ACLED — as of March 18, 2026. Casualty figures are verified minimum estimates.
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At 06:35 UTC, CENTCOM announces coordinated US-Israel airstrikes on Iran. B-2 stealth bombers, B-1 Lancers, B-52s, F-22s, F-35s, and Tomahawk-firing destroyers deployed. Israel drops over 1,200 munitions. Nearly 900 strikes in the first 12 hours.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei assassinated in decapitation strike on his residential compound. His daughter, son-in-law, grandchild, and daughter-in-law also killed. IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpour and Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh killed. CBS News reports 40 Iranian officials killed in initial strikes.
Iran fires 350+ ballistic missiles and 800+ drones at Israel, US bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, and Jordan. IRGC closes Strait of Hormuz "to our enemies." Iran declares 40 days of national mourning.
UN Security Council holds emergency session. UK PM Starmer says US can use Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford for "specific and limited defensive purpose." UK RAF Typhoons intercept Iranian drones near Qatar.
"Iran attacked our people, they attacked our allies, they tried to build a nuclear bomb. Tonight, America struck back. We are not looking for regime change — but we are looking for peace."
Donald Trump — White House statement, Feb 28, 2026"Israel and the United States have struck the source of terror. The regime that has threatened to destroy Israel for decades has been dealt a devastating blow. We acted. We succeeded."
Benjamin Netanyahu — Israeli Defence Ministry, Feb 28, 2026"The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security. Everything must be done to prevent further escalation. The alternative is a potential wider conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability."
António Guterres — UN Security Council emergency session, Feb 28, 2026 (PBS News, Al Jazeera)"Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance. All parties must exercise maximum restraint."
Ursula von der Leyen — Statement, Feb 28, 2026 (Times of Israel, Al Jazeera)Sources: CBS News, CENTCOM, Al Jazeera, PBS News, Britannica — Feb 28, 2026
US military announces 1,000+ targets hit in Iran. CENTCOM declares local air superiority over western Iran and Tehran. B-1 Lancers begin flying over Iranian airspace, signalling near-total air dominance.
Iranian Red Crescent reports 555 killed. 1,300+ military personnel dead, per Hengaw Organization for Human Rights. Two Iranian warships sunk — IRIS Dena (87 crew killed) and a Corvette at Bandar Abbas.
Satellite imagery shows damage to Iran's Natanz nuclear facility. IAEA confirms entrance buildings struck but "no radiological consequence expected." Hospitals Khatam-al-Anbia and Gandhi in Tehran are hit; BBC Verify confirms strikes.
Khamenei's wife Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh dies from injuries. Hezbollah fires first missiles and drones on northern Israel since November 2024, opening a second front. Israel responds with 250+ strikes across Lebanon, killing at least 50 and injuring 330.
Iranian drone strikes damage two Amazon Web Services data centers in UAE and Bahrain. Qatar arrests 10 individuals operating as an IRGC intelligence cell.
"Iran did not start this war and will not surrender to bullies. We have the right to defend our soil, our people, and our sovereignty."
Masoud Pezeshkian — Iranian state television, March 1–2, 2026"There is renewed hope for the oppressed people of Iran, and we strongly support their right to determine their own future. This means a credible transition for Iran, the definite halt to both the nuclear and ballistic programmes, and an end to destabilising activities in the region."
Ursula von der Leyen — Brussels press briefing, March 2, 2026 (IranIntl, RTE)Sources: CENTCOM, Reuters, ACLED, BBC Verify, Al Jazeera — March 1–2, 2026
In early hours, Israeli air operation destroys the IRIB (state broadcaster) headquarters in Tehran. Iran's parliament building targeted. Israel destroys the building where Iran's Assembly of Experts was to meet on March 3, delaying selection of a new Supreme Leader.
A US-made Israeli F-35I "Adir" shoots down a Russian-made Iranian Yak-130 fighter jet over Tehran — the first time in history a stealth fighter has downed a manned jet in combat.
An Iranian drone strikes a high-rise residential building in Bahrain, causing a fiery explosion. The US Embassy in Riyadh struck by two Iranian drones, prompting closure. Airports in Dubai and Kuwait damaged. Hezbollah fires long-range missile targeting Tel Aviv.
"We have a smart president, whereas in the past, we've had dumb presidents, and I trust President Trump to get the job done, to do a good job for the American people."
JD Vance — White House, March 4, 2026 (CNN)Sources: CNN, Reuters, Times of Israel, ACLED, Al Jazeera — March 3–4, 2026
Mojtaba Khamenei — son of the late Supreme Leader, who survived the Feb 28 strike "by seconds" — emerges as Iran's new Supreme Leader. CIA assessments had predicted a hardliner from the IRGC would take over.
A military source tells Fars News Agency that Iran has fired over 50 ballistic missiles since Feb 28. Rate of launches declining due to depletion of Iranian missile stores and rationing strategy for a longer war.
Israel declares a ground invasion of southern Lebanon. A million people displaced in southern Lebanon. Lebanon's government bans Hezbollah's military activities.
Trump announces delay to scheduled China trip. Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and UK issue joint statement urging Israel to avoid ground operations in Lebanon. UK PM Starmer: "I do not believe in regime change from the skies."
"The martyrs of the Islamic Republic shall not go unavenged. America and the Zionist entity will bear the consequences of this crime for years to come. We are a nation that does not kneel."
Mojtaba Khamenei — Iranian state media, early March 2026Sources: Fars News Agency, Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera, House of Commons Library — March 5–6, 2026
The deadliest single incident of the war: a US airstrike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls' elementary school in Minab, southeastern Iran, kills more than 170 people — most of them schoolgirls. Amnesty International later confirms US responsibility.
Iranian Red Crescent reports 6,668+ civilian units targeted by US-Israeli strikes, including 18 hospitals and health facilities confirmed by WHO. US destroys 16 Iranian minelayers near Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude crosses $100 per barrel for first time since July 2022. Maersk suspends all vessel crossings through Strait of Hormuz. Iran launches massive drone strikes against Irbil, Iraq.
"All member states must strictly uphold their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter, to respect and protect civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, and to ensure nuclear safety."
António Guterres — UN statement, March 2026 (UN News)Sources: Amnesty International, WHO, Al Jazeera, Reuters, ACLED — March 7–9, 2026
Iranian ballistic missile launches fall to ~25/day from 350 on Day 1 — a 90% decline. Drone launches down from 800+ on Day 1 to about 75/day. US flying non-stealth B-1 bombers freely over Iranian airspace signals near-total air dominance.
Over 50 Iranian naval vessels sunk, per Atlantic Council. US destroys Iranian fast-attack craft, midget submarines, and mine-laying capabilities. Effective Hormuz blockade disrupting 20% of global oil supply.
Hengaw estimates 3,900+ Iranian military personnel killed by March 10. ACLED documents nearly 2,000 distinct events across 29 of Iran's 31 provinces, with Tehran as the most heavily bombarded city.
UN Secretary-General Guterres arrives in Beirut on a "solidarity" visit to Lebanon, highlighting the human cost of the second front opened by Hezbollah and Israeli ground operations.
Sources: Al Jazeera, ACLED, Atlantic Council, Reuters, CENTCOM — March 10–13, 2026
IDF estimates 3,000–4,000 Iranian soldiers and commanders killed. Hengaw revises toll to 4,400+ military personnel by March 14. A 3-day-old infant and his 2-year-old sister killed in a strike on their home in Arak; their mother and grandmother also killed.
Operation Epic Fury second phase targets Iran's defence industrial base — missile production facilities, dual-use research centres, and underground storage complexes. White House states Iran's ballistic missile capacity "functionally destroyed" and navy "assessed combat ineffective."
PM Modi speaks with UAE President, discussing Strait of Hormuz and West Asia stability. India declares emergency for natural gas allocation; LPG raised by Rs 60; commercial LPG up Rs 144. Rupee falls to Rs 92.42/$.
"In just 10 days of the conflict, EU fuel import costs increased by €3 billion. We must work hard to de-escalate and stop the conflict spreading. The stability of the region is of the utmost importance."
Ursula von der Leyen — Reuters interview / Brussels, mid-March 2026 (Pravda EU, RTE)Sources: Hengaw, IDF, White House, Al Jazeera, IRU, Reuters — March 13–15, 2026
Israel assassinates Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Iran confirms. Two other senior Iranian officials killed the same day. Iranian security chief targeted in a separate Israeli operation.
Al Jazeera reports at least 1,444 killed and 18,551 injured by US-Israeli attacks on Iran since Feb 28. Total deaths including Lebanon, Israel, and Gulf states exceed 2,300+. No US combat aircraft lost.
Iranian drone attack causes fire at Fujairah oil zone. Dubai International Airport temporarily disrupted. UAE declares temporary airspace closure. One person killed in Abu Dhabi by missile debris.
Top US counterterrorism official resigns over Trump's Iran war, stating "Iran posed no imminent threat." Mojtaba Khamenei survives multiple assassination attempts and continues directing Iranian defence. War enters 19th day with no ceasefire in sight.
"Iran did not start the war and will not surrender to bullies. We defend our land, our dignity, and the blood of our martyrs."
Masoud Pezeshkian — Al Jazeera reporting, March 17–18, 2026Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters, AP, Britannica — March 16–18, 2026
Secretary-General Guterres condemned both the US-Israel strikes as violations of international law and Iran's retaliatory attacks on Gulf sovereignties. He urged an immediate return to diplomacy, warning the conflict had "squandered an opportunity" following Iran's breakthrough nuclear concessions to Oman just a day before strikes began.
Von der Leyen called for "maximum restraint" on Day 1, then shifted by Day 2 to backing a "credible transition" in Iran — the EU's first explicit endorsement of regime change in Tehran. EU foreign ministers later issued a joint statement calling Iran's counter-strikes "inexcusable." EU fuel import costs rose €3 billion in 10 days.
Permits US use of Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford. RAF Typhoons intercept Iranian drones near Qatar. PM Starmer condemns Iranian counter-strikes jointly with France and Germany. Says he "does not believe in regime change from the skies." Calls for diplomacy to resume.
Describes US-Israeli strikes as a "dangerous adventure" that could spark "catastrophe." Demands immediate cessation of aggressive actions and resumption of diplomatic settlement based on international law. Does not provide active military support to Iran.
Ambassador calls strikes "brazen." Calls for respect of Iran's sovereignty and an immediate ceasefire. China was not informed in advance. Chinese government fuel price controls limited domestic energy price increase to 11%. Closely monitoring Hormuz disruptions affecting Chinese oil imports.
PM Modi speaks with UAE President on Hormuz and West Asia stability. India imports 88% of crude oil. Government declares natural gas emergency. LPG raised by Rs 60. India prioritises four key sectors for gas distribution. Rupee falls to Rs 92.42/$. IPO plans delayed due to market volatility.
Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait host US forces but were also targeted by Iranian retaliation. UAE reports 941 Iranian drones detected; 65 fell within UAE territory. Bahrain intercepted 74 missiles and 92 drones. At least one Gulf ally ran low on interceptor munitions.
Sources: BBC, Reuters, Al Jazeera, PBS News, Euronews, RFERL, House of Commons Library — March 2026
US uses 20+ weapons systems. Iran retaliates with missiles, drones, mines.
Sources: CENTCOM, Stars and Stripes, Al Jazeera, CNBC, Carnegie Endowment, CNN — March 2026
Why it matters to India: India imports 88% of its crude oil. Strait of Hormuz disruption affects ~20% of global oil supply. Global shipping costs up ~30%. Domestic LPG commercial shortage reported in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. Indian rupee at Rs 92.42/$ — a sharp fall. Government declares natural gas emergency; prioritises household LPG and public transport CNG.
Sources: News24Online, IRU, Sunday Guardian Live — data as of March 16–18, 2026. Retail prices subject to daily revision by OMCs.
This infographic is produced for journalistic and informational purposes. All casualty figures represent verified minimum estimates from independent monitors. Due to restricted media access within Iran and the ongoing nature of the conflict, numbers may be revised. The Indian Express presents this as factual record without editorial opinion on the conflict.
Compiled March 18, 2026 — The Indian Express Research Desk