U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran Plume of smoke rising from the Iranian capital, Tehran, from U.S.-Israeli strikes on March 3, 2026. (more) 2026 Iran conflict Iranian history Written and fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Mar. 6, 2026 •History 2026 Iran conflict, conflict centered on Iran that was initiated by the United States and Israel on February 28, 2026, and has upended the dynamics of the Middle East. The opening salvo took out the heart of the Iranian regime, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and triggered a torrent of hundreds of retaliatory missiles and thousands of drones from Iran across the region. The attacks have left enormous damage, more than a thousand people dead, and...

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