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ORAC 28th February 2026 11:09

Fair comment....


Iran just fired missiles at five countries simultaneously. Here is what actually happened to each of them.

Bahrain. Confirmed hit on the US Navy Fifth Fleet headquarters. Bahrain’s own state news agency reported the strike. No casualty figures released yet. This is the command center for every American naval operation in the Persian Gulf. It was struck.

UAE. Multiple missiles intercepted by Emirati air defenses. One civilian killed in Abu Dhabi from falling debris. The UAE defense ministry confirmed the intercepts. The Emirates just absorbed an act of war on its sovereign territory from a country it shares a maritime border with.

Qatar. Missile intercepted. Zero damage. The Qatari Interior Ministry confirmed. The same country Iran just attacked is the country that hosted Al Udeid for twenty years as a gesture of regional balance. That balance ended this morning.

Kuwait. KUNA state news agency confirmed missiles were “dealt with” in Kuwaiti airspace. No reported damage. Kuwait, which stayed neutral through every Gulf crisis since 1991, just had Iranian ballistic missiles flying over its cities.

Jordan. Two Iranian ballistic missiles shot down by Jordanian military. Confirmed by the Jordanian armed forces directly. Jordan intercepted Iranian missiles in June 2025 as well. That was in defense of Israel. This time Iran targeted Jordan itself.

Saudi Arabia. Fars News claims strikes. No confirmation from any Saudi source. No Tier 1 or Tier 2 verification. Either it did not happen or Riyadh is not yet ready to say it did. Both possibilities carry enormous implications.

Now understand what Iran just accomplished strategically.

In attempting to retaliate against Israel and America, the IRGC fired missiles at six sovereign nations in a single morning. Not one of those nations attacked Iran. Bahrain did not bomb Tehran. The UAE did not launch strikes on Isfahan. Qatar hosted diplomatic back channels. Kuwait maintained neutrality for three decades. Jordan was mediating.

Iran just converted every neutral and semi-neutral state in the Gulf into a potential co-belligerent. Every nation whose airspace was violated, whose civilians were killed, whose sovereignty was breached now has legal and political justification to join whatever coalition forms next.

And the damage tells the real story. One civilian dead from debris. Intercepts across four countries. No confirmed destruction of any US military asset. No reported American casualties among 40,000 troops in theater. Iran fired at the entire Gulf and the Gulf caught almost everything.

Compare this to what Israel did to Tehran this morning. Precision strikes on the IRGC Intelligence Directorate. Explosions near the Supreme Leader’s office. Three detonations in central Tehran confirmed by Iranian state media itself.

One side hit what it aimed at. The other side hit one civilian with debris. This is the asymmetry that will define the next 72 hours. Iran demonstrated intent to strike everywhere and capability to hit almost nothing.

The Gulf states demonstrated they can defend themselves. And now those states must decide whether the country that just fired ballistic missiles across their borders gets to do it again.

They will not let it happen again.

Watch for the joint statement. Watch for airspace coordination between Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Manama, and Kuwait City. Watch for the coalition that Iran just built against itself with a single salvo.

​​​​​​​Iran did not retaliate against Israel this morning. Iran gave every country in the Middle East a reason to retaliate against Iran.


​​​​​​​Four weeks ago Saudi Arabia told Iran it would never allow its airspace or territory to be used for attacks. The Crown Prince personally called the Iranian President to deliver that message. It was published by the Saudi Press Agency on January 28.

Today the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement that erases every word of that call.

The Kingdom “condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the treacherous Iranian aggression.” It calls the missile strikes a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty” of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan. It pledges “full solidarity” with every attacked nation. And then the line that changes everything: Saudi Arabia is “placing all its capabilities to support them in all measures they take.”

All its capabilities. All measures.

That is not diplomatic language. That is a blank check written in the middle of a war.

Whatever the UAE decides to do, Saudi Arabia just said it will support. Whatever Bahrain’s response, Saudi will back it. Whatever Jordan, Qatar, or Kuwait determines is necessary, Riyadh just pledged everything it has.

One month ago Saudi Arabia was Iran’s diplomatic shield in the Gulf. The kingdom that brokered the 2023 rapprochement with Tehran. The country that told Washington it would not participate. The monarchy that built its entire post-Vision 2030 foreign policy on balancing between Washington and Tehran without choosing.

Iran forced the choice this morning by firing missiles at Riyadh.

AFP correspondents confirmed explosions in the Saudi capital.

​​​​​​​The kingdom that spent three years rebuilding ties with Tehran just had Iranian ballistic missiles in its airspace. The country that told America it would stay neutral just watched its sovereignty violated by the same regime it was trying to protect from American strikes.....


ORAC 28th February 2026 11:11

............

Sources: Israeli interception of communication signals inside iran, including military landlines, major hospital cctv networks, and other compromised intelligence assets, indicate a high success rate in eliminating tier 1 officials across all verticals of the regime's structure.

The window for command-and-control recovery is narrowing, my sources say, and expect the names to be a massive shock.


ORAC 28th February 2026 11:24

That number all at once suggests that the USS Georgia launched a salvo.....

Video

​​​​​​​Footage of 21 Tomahawk cruise missiles headed towards Tehran this morning.

ORAC 28th February 2026 11:33

4 videos:

​​​​​​​Here it is, a USAF Reaper over Shiraz, Fars Province. Iran

​​​​​​​Reports: 20+ explosions


ORAC 28th February 2026 11:39

.............

​​​​​​​The UAE Announces the successful interception of a second wave of Iranian missiles

The Ministry of Defense announced that the UAE's air defenses successfully intercepted a new wave of Iranian missiles launched toward the country, handling them with high efficiency and without any damage occurring.

The Ministry of Defense affirmed that it is on high alert and fully prepared to address any threats, and that it is taking all necessary measures to firmly counter everything aimed at undermining the state's security and stability, emphasizing that the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors represents an utmost priority that cannot be compromised.

The ministry stated that fragments of the intercepted missiles fell in scattered areas of Abu Dhabi, including Saadiyat Island, Khalifa City, Bani Yas area, Mohammed bin Zayed City, and Al Falah area, confirming no injuries in the mentioned locations.


ORAC 28th February 2026 12:26

Latest.


​​​​​​​Reports indicate Iranian-backed proxy forces are currently attacking U.S. bases in Iraq. The scale and extent of damage remain unverified.

​​​​​​​Reports are emerging from Iranian state media claiming IRGC hypersonic missiles have been launched toward the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. If true, this would mark a historic escalation — a direct strike attempt on a US supercarrier, one of the most heavily defended military assets on Earth. But as of now, there is no independent confirmation from US officials or international sources....
Video

​​​​​​​Not only ballistic missiles.

​​​​​​​The video shows Iranian Shahed-type long-range OWA-UAV striking the US-operated Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Apparently, the target was a radar system located on the territory of the facility.


ORAC 28th February 2026 14:22

Video

​​​​​​​
Shahed-136 direct hit on a radome on the U.S. Base in Manama, Bahrain.

​​​​​​​
Based on video of missile arrivals, footage of a sustained large fire, and corroborating VIIRS thermal satellite imagery, my analysis is that the primary target of the Iranian strike was Building 262 (CTF-55 / CDS-50 Headquarters) at Naval Support Activity Bahrain in Manama.

The building is identifiable by multiple rooftop satellite radomes and a large adjacent geodesic radome, consistent with a primary NAVCENT CDC/C3/SATCOM node supporting U.S. Fifth Fleet operations across the CENTCOM area of responsibility.

Under normal operating conditions, facilities of this type are staffed by command personnel, watch officers, intelligence teams, and communications specialists managing real-time naval operations.

​​​​​​​There is currently no confirmed reporting on personnel status.



SWBKCB 28th February 2026 14:26

From the BBC:


Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was just live on NBC News as the internet remains down for the majority in Iran. Araghchi says that Iran “may have lost one or two commanders”. He also says that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is “alive” as far as he is aware. Iranian outlets have so far denied that a number of Iranian officials and commanders have been killed, including the president and commander-in-chief of the Army.

Araghchi says that Iran is keen on de-escalation and is open to negotiations, provided that the US and Israel cease their attacks. While saying that there are no communications "right now", Araghchi adds that “if the Americans want to talk to us, they know how they can contact me”. Iran and the US have been engaged in renewed nuclear talks, with the latest round happening two days ago.Araghchi also confirms that Iran is attacking American bases in the region, but describes it as an act of “self-defence”.

Hangarless 28th February 2026 14:35

Israel is saying their initial pinpoint strikes hit their intended targets and the Iran now has zero air defense which is allowing the US and Israel to bring down Iranian missiles as they are launched.

The Saudis have now said they are joining the US and Israeli attack after Iran sent missiles in their direction.It is a major and significant change I do believe.


West Coast 28th February 2026 15:14


Originally Posted by BANANASBANANAS (Post 12044064)
He is also preparing the USA population to ‘be ready for American casualties.’

This, to me indicates a long term campaign. Hope I’m wrong.

Bob Viking 28th February 2026 15:48

Dubai hit
 
The Fairmont Jumeirah on the Palm was hit by a drone. That is nowhere near a military site and must have caused casualties.


The gloves are well and truly off now.

BV

B Fraser 28th February 2026 15:48

The Fairmont hotel on the Dubai Palm is on fire. A very unlikely target and a very unlikely place for a stray missile to land. Thankfully, friends who live a few hundred yards away are fine and there are reports that people are moving below ground. Any Scots however are in the bars, running up a tab.

My hunch is that this is a car bomb.

Bob Viking 28th February 2026 15:50

BF
 

Originally Posted by B Fraser (Post 12044370)
The Fairmont hotel on the Dubai Palm is on fire. A very unlikely target and a very unlikely place for a stray missile to land. Thankfully, friends who live a few hundred yards away are fine and there are reports that people are moving below ground. Any Scots however are in the bars, running up a tab.

My hunch is that this is a car bomb.

See above video. Shahed Drone.

B Fraser 28th February 2026 15:51

Dubai chums are messaging that it was a drone. A most unexpected target unless someone in particular was staying there.

750XL 28th February 2026 16:23

I suspect there may be B52s (or B2s) on their way to to Iran as we speak.

An ACARS message was sent to a C5 routing Aviano AB - Moron AB asking for an update as 'uppers were geting antsy' suggesting it may be a mission critical flight.

A number of KC135 and KC46 are around Gibraltar not showing on ADS-B websites.

Lonewolf_50 28th February 2026 16:41


Originally Posted by BBadanov (Post 12043976)
What this does indicate is a larger deployed US force than 2003 GW2.

Nope. The tens of thousands of ground troops are not there. Not even close.

Originally Posted by NumptyAussie (Post 12044061)
Interesting how quickly Iran can implement a nuclear weapons program, considering that the USA obliterated it last year and are busy obliterating it today.

Suggest you learn better how to parse political rhetoric.

Originally Posted by Ninthace (Post 12044079)
An attack contrary to international war, not that it will bother the Trump regime) with objectives that cannot be achieved by air power alone. Another ill thought through mess.

A mess. Yes. The report of Iranian proxies in Iraq going after Americans there isn't a surprise, but it is an indication of a riskier situation. (I'll need to dig around and see what the government of Iraq has to say about this...)

The surprise to me is Iran's decision to attack a host of Gulf nations. The attack on 5th fleet HQ is not a surprise. Command and Control centers are logical targets.
The reports that the Saudis are now in play, and not staying neutral, is an eye opener.

Four days, eh? I'll guess that's about when the ammo runs short.

I suppose that the discussion, talks, and negotiations on the nuclear posture are postponed for a while.

MechEngr 28th February 2026 16:53

On the one hand such a broad attack by Iran against all of those Arab nations seems insane.

On the other hand, infiltration of Iran by foreign agents to plan and execute those attacks is within the capabilities of certain nearby nations.

Which possibility makes more sense?

bugged on the right 28th February 2026 17:04

Mech, insane for sure, possibly a chapter in the old story of who are the real Muslims?

Ninthace 28th February 2026 17:11

1. Has regime change ever been achieved from the air alone?
2. Is there an organised pro- American opposition in Iran ready to take the place of the current regime.

If either of the answers to these questions is no, it seems likely a lot of people will die needlessly and there will be far reaching effects on international trade for no definable benefit.

Alternatively, Trump could just get bored, claim a victory and call it all off at some point with little to show for it apart from the butcher’s bill.

Auxtank 28th February 2026 17:37

Seems to be really kicking off now with Iranians being told to evacuate major industrial sites.

USA knows how to do a Saturday night.


Mr Mac 28th February 2026 17:39


Originally Posted by B Fraser (Post 12044375)
Dubai chums are messaging that it was a drone. A most unexpected target unless someone in particular was staying there.

B Fraser
I am not sure targeted more like un-targeted according to my old company staff based there. Another friend was on a Virgin flight who had an interesting flight home after a late departure and a bit of a race track over the gulf. However in comparison with a staff member who watched Iranian misled launches last year climbing through 30k ft on his flight who worried WW3 was imminent and promptly went for the Champagne not so worried!
Cheers
Mr Mac

750XL 28th February 2026 17:55


Originally Posted by Auxtank (Post 12044448)
Seems to be really kicking off now with Iranians being told to evacuate major industrial sites.

USA knows how to do a Saturday night.

The large amount of KC46 and KC135 aerial tankers that have launched from the Azores and Spain in recent hours would suggest something big and heavy is en-route to Iran to light up the night sky...

RAFEngO74to09 28th February 2026 18:05

IDF states largest air op in history for them - 200+ fighter jets hit 500+ targets


Auxtank 28th February 2026 18:08

Hearing (from a cousin) that Khomeini's has had his chips.
He took off earlier today but the flight was - cut short.



ORAC 28th February 2026 18:50

Video

Footage of an Iranian Shahed attack drone hitting an apartment building in Bahrain tonight, as seen from the building.



External video

RAFEngO74to09 28th February 2026 18:54

10 x Tomahawks launched in 50 seconds from an Arleigh Burke destroyer

RAFEngO74to09 28th February 2026 18:58


ORAC 28th February 2026 18:59

Video

The moment that an Iranian Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drone struck the Kuwait International Airport (KWI)

ORAC 28th February 2026 19:02

Video

​​​​​​​Right now, Shahed drones are yet again striking the U.S. Navy’s main headquarters in Bahrain.

ORAC 28th February 2026 19:06

Video

​​​​​​​Insane footage showing multiple interceptors from a U.S. Army MIM-104 “Patriot” Surface-to-Air Missile Battery launching and downing Iranian ballistic missiles earlier tonight during an attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, with at least one ballistic missile seen striking the base, reportedly damaging a clinic on Al Udeid.


RAFEngO74to09 28th February 2026 19:09

Confirmed by Israeli PM: Khamenei dead - killed in the attack on compound

ORAC 28th February 2026 19:09


Via CENTCOM: RGM-109E Tomahawk with a black (presumably low observable) coating. Between that and the forward swept wings we may now know what the CLASSIFIED Cost Element in Tactical Tomahawk Procurement is.

$37 million in procurement dollars was spent in FY2023 on Classified missile hardware elements in support of 40 new production Block V TACTOMs.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....86449a474.jpeg
​​​​​​​

ORAC 28th February 2026 19:19

Attack on Iranian frigate.

​​​​​​​Either IRIS Alvand (F-71) or IRIS Alborz (F-72) struck in port at Konarak.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....cd16194ab.jpeg
​​​​​​​

BBadanov 28th February 2026 19:28


Originally Posted by ORAC (Post 12044495)
Video
"Insane footage showing multiple interceptors from a U.S. Army MIM-104 “Patriot” Surface-to-Air Missile Battery launching and downing Iranian ballistic missiles earlier tonight during an attack on Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, with at least one ballistic missile seen striking the base, reportedly damaging a clinic on Al Udeid."

​​​​​​​When bloggers introduce their posts with descriptors like "insane" and "crazy" and "mad", I don't bother about watching further.

Hangarless 28th February 2026 19:36


Originally Posted by BBadanov (Post 12044499)
When bloggers introduce their posts with descriptors like "insane" and "crazy" and "mad", I don't bother about watching further.

Especially those coming from X. If we want to go to X we will go there ourselves.

ORAC 28th February 2026 19:47

Sky News showing live a sustained series of Iron Dome missile intercepts of incoming Iranian ICBMs over Tel Aviv.

Bfah 28th February 2026 19:51


Originally Posted by RAFEngO74to09 (Post 12044496)
Confirmed by Israeli PM: Khamenei dead - killed in the attack on compound

Wow!
Lots of news channels saying the same thing.
Wonder if it's true that his aircraft got took down...

I guess the 'official' wording will come from Trump. The US military/Intelligence, won't f&^k this announcement up, particularly if they want the Iranian people to 'uprise'.

ORAC 28th February 2026 19:56


Wow!
Lots of news channels saying the same thing.
Wonder if it's true that his aircraft got took down...
No, body reportedly recovered from the rubble of his compound along with those of his son and his daughter-in-law.


RAFEngO74to09 28th February 2026 20:05

40 top Iranian leaders killed in the first strike which was moved up and carried out in daylight on Int provided by Israelis who had infiltrated the Iranian State Security apparatus


ORAC 28th February 2026 20:08

The mid-morning attack, rather than midnight, seems to have been planned to catch the Iranians off guard and at their offices in an attempt at decapitation of the regime.

Israel says that it killed the head of Iran's IRGC, the Minister of Defense, Chairman of SPND, Khamenei's National Security Advisor, and Head of Khamenei's Military Bureau in a coordinated strike along with their senior staff.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....ba2be42aa.jpeg


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