"Trump's 'Ten-Day Ultimatum' Ends in Iran Airstrikes... Regime Change Is the Goal (Comprehensive) [U.S. Iran Airstrikes]"

"Take Control of Your Government Once the U.S. Attack Ends"
Iran Launches Counterattacks on U.S. Bases Across the Middle East
Flights to Dubai Diverted... Air Routes Blocked

On the 28th (local time), in Tehran, the capital of Iran, as airstrikes by the United States and Israel began, massive smoke was seen rising from explosions. Photo by AP Yonhap News

The United States and Israel have launched a full-scale airstrike against Iran. President Donald Trump declared that a major operation had begun, even mentioning a possible regime change in Iran. As the third round of nuclear agreement talks between the U.S. and Iran ended without a deal, it is interpreted that the U.S. government ultimately chose a military option. Iran retaliated against the airstrikes by launching counterattacks on U.S. military bases across the Middle East, and as countries in the region suffered damages from Iran's retaliatory strikes, concerns are growing over the possibility of a wider conflict.

U.S. and Israel Launch Airstrikes on Major Iranian Cities... 'Epic Fury' Operation Begins

On the 27th (local time), a gathering of U.S. military aircraft near Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo by UPI News Agency

According to CNN, on the 28th (local time), Tehran, the capital of Iran, as well as major cities such as Qom, Isfahan, Karaj, and Qeshm, were hit by airstrikes from U.S. and Israeli forces. In a statement released immediately after the airstrikes, the Israeli military announced, "The Israeli military and U.S. forces have launched a broad joint operation to completely weaken the Iranian terrorist regime and to eliminate the existential threat to Israel in the long term."

Although the specific extent of damage in Iran has not yet been reported, the Iranian side stated that the offices of key leadership figures were targeted. According to local media outlet IRNA, at around 10 a.m. that day, approximately seven missiles struck near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and other senior leaders located in downtown Tehran.

The U.S. military announced that the operation against Iran was named 'Epic Fury.' With the nuclear negotiations with Iran ultimately collapsing, it is analyzed that the U.S. government has shifted to a hardline stance. In a pre-recorded video speech posted on social networking services, President Trump stated, "The United States has just begun a major battle in Iran. We cannot allow Iran to rebuild its nuclear program and develop nuclear weapons," adding, "To the people of Iran, the time for freedom is near. Once our attack concludes, take control of your government."

As President Trump directly mentioned the possibility of regime change in Iran, the Israeli government also emphasized that the goal of the operation is regime collapse. According to The Times of Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a press conference held immediately after the airstrikes, "Israel and the United States have launched an operation to eliminate the existential threat posed by the Iranian terrorist regime," and added, "Our objective is to create conditions that allow the people to change their own destiny."

Airstrikes Before the Fourth Round of Nuclear Talks... Attack Launched Nine Days After Ultimatum

AP Yonhap News

This airstrike occurred even before the nuclear agreement talks between the U.S. and Iran were completed. Both sides had agreed to hold the fourth round of talks in Vienna, Austria, next week. However, due to the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, the fourth round of talks was called off.

The U.S. and Iran held the third round of talks in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 26th, but failed to find common ground. According to the Associated Press, the U.S. side demanded that Iran halt uranium enrichment and export all enriched uranium currently in its possession out of the country through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). However, Iran refused and instead insisted on diluting its 60% enriched uranium to 20% under IAEA supervision.

Previously, on the 19th, President Trump had pressured Iran to completely give up its nuclear program, warning, "If there is no agreement, they will face unfortunate consequences," and set a negotiation deadline, saying, "10 days, or at most 15 days, is enough time." However, after the third round of talks collapsed, the airstrikes were launched just nine days after the deadline of 10 to 15 days was set.

Iran Launches Widespread Attacks on U.S. Bases in the Middle East... Will Saudi Arabia Intervene?

Reuters Yonhap News

Iran immediately launched retaliatory strikes in response to the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. According to Al Jazeera, Iran launched large-scale missile and drone attacks on key U.S. military bases in the Middle East, including Israeli territory, Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran stated in a declaration following the retaliatory strikes, "We attacked Israeli and American bases with missiles and drones," and emphasized, "All U.S. bases, assets, and interests in the region are legitimate targets for the Iranian military. We will continue our retaliation operation until we achieve the decisive defeat of the enemy." Iran began its counterattack within an hour after being struck and is expected to take additional actions in the future.

Meanwhile, as Arab countries suffered damages from Iran's retaliatory strikes, Saudi Arabia, a leading nation in the Arab League, expressed its displeasure to Iran. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement immediately after Iran's retaliation, saying, "We strongly condemn Iran's infringement of the autonomy of several Gulf countries," and warned, "If violations of national autonomy and international law continue, there will be serious consequences."

Air Routes to the Middle East Immediately Blocked... Flights to Dubai Diverted or Canceled

Reuters Yonhap News

Immediately after the Iranian airstrikes, airspace throughout the Middle East was shut down. As countries across the region closed their airspace, civilian aircraft could no longer travel. The Iranian Civil Aviation Organization announced that, following the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, Iranian airspace would be closed indefinitely. Israel also announced it would close its airspace to civilian aircraft, prohibiting entry.

Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which had U.S. military bases within their territory attacked, also announced they would close their airspace for the time being. Syria also temporarily closed its airspace as a precautionary measure.

Airlines are diverting and canceling flights to the Middle East. Korean Air announced that on the 28th, flight KE951 (B787-9), which departed from Incheon Airport at 1:13 p.m. and was bound for Dubai International Airport, was diverted over Myanmar airspace and is scheduled to return to Incheon Airport at around 10:30 p.m. The flight KE952, which was scheduled to depart from Dubai to Incheon at 9 p.m. that day, was also canceled.

Korean Air explained, "While operating the flight to Dubai, we received information that UAE airspace was closed due to the aftermath of the airstrikes, so the flight was diverted." Korean Air stated that it will closely monitor the situation and adjust subsequent schedules as needed. Operations on the Dubai route may continue to be disrupted after March 1, and information will be provided on the website and other channels according to changes in local conditions.

Turkish Airlines also announced that it is canceling Middle East-bound flights due to the closure of regional airspace. UAE national carrier Emirates Airlines stated that it is experiencing disruptions to multiple flights. British Airways also announced it would cancel flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until the 3rd due to the Iranian airstrikes. Flights departing for Amman, Jordan, scheduled for that day were also canceled.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.