Israel Launches Unprecedented Military Campaign Against Iran: Timeline, Impact, and Global Repercussions

Compounding these concerns, a popular uprising erupted in Iran in January 2026, only to be violently suppressed by the government. For Israeli planners, this represented a rare strategic opportunity: Iran was internally weakened, and its regional influence appeared temporarily diminished.

The February 28 Strike: Planning and Execution Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly informed U. S. President Donald Trump on February 23 of the timing and location of a high-level Iranian leadership meeting, which included Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Intelligence was precise, actionable, and timely. Within days, both governments authorized a coordinated offensive.