NPR News: 02-28-2026 9AM EST
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What airstrikes are the U.S. and Israel conducting against Iran?
Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. The United States and Israel are carrying out airstrikes against Iran. NPR has learned a source briefed on the matter that indicates that Ayatollah Khomeini was hit in the strikes. In a video posted on social media, President Trump said U.S. forces had begun what he described as major combat operations inside the country. He said the objective is to defend the American people by eliminating what he calls imminent threats from the Iranian regime.
Iranian forces killed and maimed hundreds of American service members in Iraq. The regime's proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces.
Israel has declared a 48-hour state of emergency across the region. Air raid sirens have been sounding across Israel throughout the day, with authorities warning civilians to enter bomb shelters. The U.S. and Israel say the goal is to help Iranians topple their regime. A person briefed on the operation tells NPR that Iran's top leaders are among the targets, as NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv.
A person briefed on the operation tells NPR that Israel has targeted Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and the Iranian president, Masoud Pazeshkian, trying to assassinate them. An Israeli military official would not comment, but said Israel's opening salvo against Iran targeted high-profile figures. He said Israel would be calling up about 70,000 reservist soldiers and fortifying protection of its borders. The official said Iran has so far fired dozens of missiles at Israel in retaliation, with no significant hits in Israel. The Israeli military official said Israel detected an acceleration in Iran's missile program in recent months, producing dozens of missiles monthly. President Trump said Iran's missile industry would be destroyed.
Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
The attacks on Iran hit a school, killing at least 53 young female students. That's according to Iran's state-run news agency. NPR's Aya Batraoui has more.
There are only hours left to register to vote in North... Iran's state news agency IRNA says 170 students were present in the school when it was hit by what the governor says was, quote, the American Zionist aggression. The state news agency posted this brief clip from the scene, showing a damaged low-rise building with smoke rising and people standing around as a woman wails.
What are the implications of President Trump's statements on U.S. military operations?
The primary school is located in Minab, a city in southern Iran that's close to the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which a fifth of the world's oil passes. It's also near to U.S. positions in Gulf Arab states that Iranian missiles have targeted today. The attacks began this morning with Israel striking Iran first and the U.S. announcing its involvement. Iran, a nation of 90 million, has closed schools and universities until further notice.
That's NPR's Aya Batraoui. This is NPR. President Trump says the United States is in talks with Cuba and raised the possibility of what he called a friendly takeover of the island. Trump told reporters Secretary of State Marco Rubio is speaking with Cuban leaders at a very high level. The comments come as Cuba confirms communication with the U.S. following a deadly shooting involving a Florida-registered speedboat near the island. The time left to register to vote in this year's primary elections is ending soon in a couple of states. NPR's Hansi Lowong reports the deadlines come as a handful of states get ready to hold primaries next month for the November midterm election.
There are only hours left to register to vote in North Carolina's primary election. Eligible voters there can sign up and cast a ballot at early voting sites until 3 p.m. Eastern if they bring their proof of residence and a photo ID. And in Illinois, Sunday is the last day to register online. After that, Illinois voters can sign up at election offices through the last day of voting on March 17th. Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas are also preparing to hold statewide primary races next month.
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