Escalation Follows Deadly Attack on Iranian School
In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iran on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The operation, confirmed by an Israeli official, has triggered a severe regional crisis, marked by retaliatory missile fire, mounting civilian casualties, and the near-total shutdown of civilian air travel across the Persian Gulf.
Civilian Toll Rises as Conflict Spreads
The immediate aftermath saw a sharp rise in civilian deaths. Iranian state media reported that an Israeli strike on a primary girls’ school in the southern town of Minab killed at least 40 people. In a retaliatory move, Iran fired missiles at several Gulf Arab states. The United Arab Emirates confirmed one fatality in Abu Dhabi, while Kuwait, Qatar, and Jordan reported intercepting incoming projectiles. Explosions were also reported in Doha.
Global Aviation Grinds to a Halt
The conflict has caused unprecedented disruption to global aviation. Airspaces across the region were closed, leading to a cascade of flight cancellations:
- Major European carriers like Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways suspended flights to Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, and Gulf states.
- Turkish Airlines grounded flights to ten Middle Eastern countries.
- Asian airlines, including Japan Airlines and Air India, cancelled routes.
- Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) suspended all flights to the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait.
- Israel closed its own airspace to civilian flights, and Russia halted all commercial flights to Israel and Iran indefinitely.
International Condemnation and Security Measures
The strikes drew swift international criticism. Russia condemned the action as a “dangerous adventure” that risked sparking a humanitarian and economic “catastrophe” in the region. Several nations, including the United Kingdom, advised their citizens in the Middle East to take shelter and avoid all travel. Israeli authorities announced a prohibition on educational activities and public gatherings.
Diplomatic activity intensified, with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister condemning the “unwarranted attacks” in a call with Iran’s Foreign Minister. Meanwhile, an Iranian official noted that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was not in Tehran at the time of the strikes, underscoring the high-alert status within the country.
