The strikes put nearby oil-producing Gulf Arab countries on edge as fears ​of escalation in the region grew, and Israel said Tehran responded by launching missiles towards Israel. A third ‌round of indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran this week failed to provide a breakthrough that could avert a new war. The attack follows a 12-day air war in June between Israel and Iran and repeated U.S.-Israeli warnings that they would strike again if Iran pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. The U.S. and Iran renewed negotiations in February to try to resolve the nuclear dispute. Last June, the U.S. joined an Israeli military campaign against Iranian nuclear installations, in ​the most direct American military action ever against the Islamic Republic.

Source: The Hindu February 28, 2026 16:24 UTC