12:40 UTC — Israeli Air Force Targets Underground Missile Sites in Iran

Israeli military officials said airstrikes overnight targeted underground missile storage and launch infrastructure inside Iran. The operations are part of what officials described as a second phase of the campaign aimed at degrading Iran’s remaining ballistic missile capabilities.

Sources familiar with the operation said Israeli aircraft focused on deeply buried facilities believed to house parts of Iran’s missile arsenal. Intelligence estimates suggest Iran still possesses thousands of missiles despite earlier strikes on launchers and air-defense systems.

11:55 UTC — Iranian Missile and Drone Attacks Continue Against Israel and U.S. Bases

Iran has launched additional missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli territory and U.S. military facilities in the region, according to regional officials and media reports. The attacks follow a series of large-scale airstrikes carried out by Israel and the United States on Iranian military infrastructure.

Several countries across the Middle East have reported heightened air-defense activity as the conflict expands geographically. Authorities in multiple states have urged residents to follow official safety instructions.

11:10 UTC — Israeli Strikes Reported in Southern Beirut

Israeli forces launched airstrikes in southern Beirut after issuing evacuation warnings to residents in areas believed to host Hezbollah-linked sites. Witnesses reported heavy explosions and rising smoke over several districts.

The strikes come after Hezbollah launched missiles and drones toward Israel earlier in the week. The group is widely regarded as an ally of Iran and has been involved in cross-border exchanges since the escalation began.

10:35 UTC — Israel Remains Under Nationwide State of Emergency

Israel continues to operate under a nationwide state of emergency declared at the start of the conflict. Schools and many businesses remain closed, while large public gatherings have been restricted.

Israeli authorities say the measures are intended to protect civilians as missile and drone threats persist. Tens of thousands of military reservists have also been mobilized.

09:50 UTC — Regional Retaliation Expands Beyond Israel

Iranian retaliatory strikes have also targeted locations across the wider region, including U.S. military installations and allied countries in the Gulf. Regional air defenses have intercepted many of the projectiles, according to officials.

Several governments have condemned the attacks and called for restraint while increasing security measures around strategic infrastructure.

What We Know

• Israel and the United States launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets beginning 28 February 2026.

• Iranian missile and drone attacks have followed, targeting Israel and regional military facilities.

• Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency and mobilized reservists.

• Hezbollah and other regional actors have become involved in cross-border exchanges.

What We Don’t Know

• The full extent of damage to Iran’s missile infrastructure.

• Whether additional countries will become directly involved in the fighting.

• The timeline or conditions for potential ceasefire negotiations.

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In a pointed show of support for Tehran amid escalating conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to the Kremlin on Monday — just as Israeli strikes on Iran continued and U.S.-Iran tensions deepened.

The visit, which took place in one of the Kremlin’s grand reception rooms, was more than symbolic. It was Putin’s strongest public endorsement of Iran since the recent wave of attacks began. Flanked by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and senior aide Yury Ushakov, Putin made it clear that Russia stands firmly with Iran.

“This act of aggression against Iran has no grounds and no justification,” Putin told the Iranian delegation. “We have long-standing, friendly and reliable relations with Iran, and we, for our part, are making efforts to support the Iranian people.”

He also accused the United States of being provoked by Israel into launching strikes, echoing Iran’s own claims and reinforcing Moscow’s opposition to Western military intervention.

Putin Reaches Out to World Leaders, But Timeline Unclear

Putin said he had held recent phone conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UAE President Mohammed Al Nahyan, and Iran’s newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian.

However, no dates or details were provided about these calls. Notably, the Kremlin had just said a day earlier that no phone calls were planned between Putin and Trump following the U.S. attacks — casting some doubt on the timing or nature of those communications.

Iran Thanks Russia for Support Amid Crisis

In response, Araghchi thanked Putin for his solidarity and praised the growing ties between Moscow and Tehran.

“Russia is on the right side of history,” Araghchi said. “Our relationship has grown even closer in recent years.”

That bond has only deepened since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 — a war that Iran has supported both diplomatically and militarily. According to U.S. officials, Iran has supplied Russia with thousands of Shahed drones and short-range ballistic missiles, and even helped construct a drone factory inside Russia.

Russia and Iran: A Strategic Alliance

Beyond the battlefield, the two nations also maintain close cooperation on nuclear development.

Araghchi highlighted Russia’s longstanding role in Iran’s nuclear program, including its involvement in the ongoing talks and its operational support at the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran — the country’s only civilian nuclear facility.

Putin noted that roughly 200 Russian experts are currently stationed at the site. Interestingly, he also thanked Israel for agreeing to “ensure” their safety amid the ongoing military action — a rare diplomatic nod in a region where alliances are often anything but stable.

Moscow and Tehran Present United Front

Monday’s meeting sent a clear message: Russia and Iran remain united as pressure from the U.S. and Israel intensifies. For Putin, it’s a chance to assert Moscow’s influence in the Middle East. For Iran, it’s a lifeline as it faces attacks and international scrutiny.

And for the rest of the world, it’s yet another sign that old alliances are shifting — and new ones are taking shape in the shadow of war.

Source: CNN – In strong show of support, Putin hosts Iranian foreign minister at the Kremlin

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