"Trump, Who Gave 'Ten Days,' Launches Airstrikes on Iran... Regime Change the Goal (Comprehensive) [U.S.-Iran War]"

"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 the possibility of regime change in Iran. After three rounds of nuclear deal negotiations between the United States and Iran ultimately broke down, it appears that the U.S. government has opted for a military solution. As Iran retaliated against the airstrikes by launching counterattacks on U.S. military bases across the Middle East, countries in the region have suffered from Iran's retaliatory strikes, raising fears of further escalation.

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, and other major cities such as Qom, Isfahan, Karaj, and Qeshm were struck by airstrikes from U.S. and Israeli forces. Immediately after the airstrikes, the Israeli military issued a statement saying, "The Israeli military and U.S. forces have launched a broad joint operation to completely weaken Iran's terrorist regime and to eliminate the existential threat to Israel over the long term."

Although the extent of the damage in Iran has not yet been detailed, Iranian authorities stated that the offices of key leaders were targeted in the airstrikes. According to the local outlet IRNA, at around 10 a.m. on this day, approximately seven missiles fell near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and other top leadership figures in central Tehran.

The U.S. military announced that the operation against Iran has been named 'Epic Fury.' With the collapse of the nuclear negotiations, it is analyzed that the U.S. government has shifted to a hardline approach. In a pre-recorded video address posted on social media, President Trump stated, "The United States has just begun a major battle in Iran. We cannot allow Iran to rebuild its nuclear program or acquire nuclear weapons." He added, "I tell the people of Iran that the time of freedom is near. Once our attack ends, take control of your government."

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

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

AP Yonhap News

The airstrikes occurred before the nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran were completed. Both sides had agreed to hold a fourth round of talks in Vienna, Austria, next week. However, due to the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, the fourth round of talks has been canceled.

The United States and Iran held a 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 abroad through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). However, Iran refused, insisting instead that it would dilute its 60% enriched uranium to 20% under IAEA supervision.

Previously, on the 19th, President Trump had pressed for Iran's complete abandonment of its nuclear program, warning, "If there is no deal, something unfortunate will happen to them," and set a negotiation deadline of "10 days, at most 15 days is enough time." However, after the third round of talks collapsed, the airstrikes were launched just nine days after Trump had set the 10-to-15-day deadline.

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

Reuters Yonhap News

Iran immediately launched retaliatory attacks in response to the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. According to Al Jazeera, Iran carried out large-scale missile and drone attacks not only on Israeli territory but also on major U.S. military bases in the Middle East, including 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.

After the counterattacks, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement, saying, "We attacked Israeli and U.S. 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 retaliatory operations until the enemy is decisively defeated." Iran launched its counterattack within one hour after being struck and is expected to take additional action in the future.

Meanwhile, as Arab countries suffered damage from Iran's retaliatory attacks, Saudi Arabia, the leading member of the Arab League, expressed displeasure toward Iran. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement immediately after Iran's counterattack, stating, "We strongly condemn Iran's violation of the sovereignty of several Gulf countries," and warned, "If violations of national sovereignty and breaches of international law continue, it will lead to serious consequences."

Airspace to the Middle East Immediately Shut Down... Flights to Dubai Diverted or Canceled

Reuters Yonhap News

Immediately after the Iranian airstrikes, airspace across the Middle East was simultaneously shut down. With countries in the region closing their airspace, commercial aircraft were unable to operate. The Iranian Civil Aviation Organization announced that, following the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, Iranian airspace would be closed indefinitely. Israel also announced the closure of its airspace, prohibiting entry by civilian aircraft.

Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which had U.S. military bases attacked within their territories, also announced that they would temporarily close their airspace. Syria preemptively closed its airspace as well.

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

Korean Air explained, "While operating to Dubai, we received information that UAE airspace had been closed due to the aftermath of the airstrikes, so we decided to return." The airline plans to closely monitor the situation and adjust subsequent schedules as needed. Depending on changes in local conditions, there may be disruptions to the Dubai route after March 1, and the airline intends to provide updates through its website and other channels.

Turkish Airlines announced that it would cancel flights to the Middle East due to the closure of regional airspace, and UAE flag carrier Emirates also reported difficulties in operating several flights. British Airways stated that, due to the airstrikes on Iran, it would cancel flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until the 3rd. Flights to Amman, Jordan, scheduled to depart that day, were also canceled.

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