A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)European Union Foreign Policy chief, Kaja Kalla, has said that the bloc’s foreign ministers would hold “extraordinary” talks on Iran on Sunday, after United States and Israeli strikes on the country sparked retaliatory attacks. “I will convene an extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council via video link on Sunday to address Iran and the rapidly unfolding events across the Middle East,” Kallas wrote on X.

Source: Punch February 28, 2026 22:39 UTC