Trump claims Iran's air force is "destroyed" on day 7 of Middle East tensions; what has happened so far?

On Saturday, February 28, 2026, the US and Israel launched attacks on Tehran, the capital of Iran, as part of Operation Epic Fury. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed during the attack.

Following this, Iran launched a barrage of missiles simultaneously at several Gulf countries, including Israel, escalating tensions in the Middle East. Today marks the seventh day of the Israeli and US attacks on Iran. Even on the seventh day, tensions in the Middle East are escalating rather than decreasing.

Indeed, the ongoing war in the Middle East has not only engulfed the Gulf countries but has also disrupted global financial markets and the oil supply chain.

The US and Israel claim that their operation, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, is crippling Iran's military. However, the Iranian military maintains that it continues missile and drone attacks in the Gulf region.

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the military cost of the first 100 hours of this war alone has exceeded $3.7 billion.

What has happened so far?

Today is the seventh day of the Israeli-US attack on Iran. More than 1,230 people have been killed in Iran since the attacks began on Saturday. The Israeli military claims to have destroyed approximately 80 percent of Iran's air defense systems.

Following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the question of his succession remains. The US is not happy with the possibility of Khamenei's son, Mojtaba, taking over. Trump said, "We want someone who will bring harmony and peace to Iran." Trump explicitly described Mojtaba as an unacceptable choice.

Iran issues a warning

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, threatened to kill and capture thousands of American soldiers, saying the Iranian military was waiting for a possible US ground invasion.

Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated that there was no reason to negotiate with the US and that it could not be trusted.

Regarding Iran's attack, the US claims that Iran's ballistic missile attacks have decreased by 90 percent since the first day of the war, while drone attacks have declined by 83 percent during the same period.

What happened after the attack in the Gulf countries

The US suspended operations at its embassy in Kuwait City after Kuwait's air defense system intercepted missiles and drones, and Iran retaliated.

Iran attacked a state-owned oil refinery in an industrial city in Bahrain, causing a fire. However, the fire was brought under control.

The UAE said its air defense system intercepted several Iranian missiles and more than 120 drones.

Qatar also said it intercepted Iranian missiles and drones after loud explosions were heard in the capital, Doha, on Thursday.

Nearly 20,000 Americans have left the Middle East without assistance. Meanwhile, the government is arranging charter flights to evacuate those who still wish to leave.

Friday prayers suspended in Israel

Iran's Revolutionary Guard announced that it had launched a combined drone and missile attack on Tel Aviv and central Israel. Amid security threats, the Israeli Civil Administration has closed all holy sites in Jerusalem's Old City and canceled Friday prayers.

200 attacks in Iran in 72 hours

Meanwhile, US Central Command reported striking nearly 200 targets in Iran in the past 72 hours, including ballistic missile launchers and naval ships.

US President Trump has claimed that Iran is being destroyed ahead of schedule and on a scale never seen before. Trump has claimed that Iran no longer has an air force or air defense. He stated that Iran's air force has been destroyed.

Israel Issues Warning

Meanwhile, Israel is heavily bombing Hezbollah positions in Lebanon and has issued an evacuation warning for the southern suburbs of Beirut and parts of the Bekaa Valley.

The Israeli military reported on Friday that it carried out large-scale strikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Beirut overnight. The Israeli military targeted command centers and multi-story buildings in Beirut, as well as a facility housing Hezbollah drones intended to attack Israel.