The "Middle East powder keg" has been ignited. On February 28, a fast news report from Xinhua News Agency stated that explosions occurred in downtown Tehran, the capital of Iran. Multiple missiles hit several targets in central Tehran. According to a CCTV report, seven missiles struck areas near the presidential palace and the residence of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Additionally, explosions were heard in Iran's Ilam province. On February 28, smoke rose from the Tehran skyline due to the explosions.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense stated that Israel had launched a preemptive attack on Iran. Simultaneously, the United States also began operations, striking Iran from the air and sea. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that U.S. military forces had commenced military strikes against Iran. He emphasized that Iran would never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. Just two days prior, on February 26, the U.S. and Iran held a third round of indirect talks in Switzerland, but no agreement was reached.
On February 27, the U.S. State Department ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members from Israel. On the same day, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in Iran advised Chinese citizens to avoid travel to Iran, urged Chinese nationals already in Iran to enhance safety precautions, and evacuate as soon as possible. Clearly, the situation in the Middle East has escalated.
Iran has responded to the attacks. According to a CCTV report, on the afternoon of February 28, Iran's Interior Ministry issued a statement regarding the U.S.-Israel airstrikes, stating that "the enemy has disregarded all international laws and acted recklessly during negotiations." The statement also indicated that the Interior Ministry had established a national crisis management headquarters and issued necessary instructions to all provincial crisis management departments and relevant agencies.
Israel initiated the action, with the U.S. following. This new operation against Iran was referred to by Israel as "Roaring Lion." Regarding the objective of the operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the goal of the U.S. and Israeli military action was to overthrow the Iranian regime. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also said that Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran to eliminate threats to the state.
Iranian media reported that, as of now, at least five explosions occurred in central Tehran, with missiles landing on University Street, Republic Square, and the Seyed Khandan area in eastern Tehran. It was reported that the area near the office of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was also attacked. However, according to a CCTV International report, multiple Iranian media outlets cited sources stating that Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been relocated to a secure location.
A U.S. official stated that attack aircraft stationed at bases across the Middle East and aircraft carriers were carrying out dozens of U.S. airstrikes. The U.S. is striking Iran from the air and sea. This U.S. official also anticipated that this attack would be significantly larger than the U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities in June of the previous year.
In Israel, a special state of emergency has been declared, with explosions heard in the north and air raid sirens activated. According to a Xinhua report, Israel detected missile launches from Iran. Separately, a CCTV report cited Iranian sources stating that dozens of missiles had been launched toward Israel.
Echoing Israel's rationale, President Trump stated that the primary goal of the strikes was to "eliminate the threat posed by the Iranian regime to the American people." He claimed Iran was rebuilding nuclear facilities and reiterated that Iran would never possess nuclear weapons. He also called for a change in the Iranian regime and stated intentions to destroy Iran's missile program, "leveling Iran's missile industry."
Regarding the duration of this operation, the U.S. military anticipates multi-day actions against Iran. It is evident that the U.S. had planned this in advance, and the U.S. military had already conducted multiple military deployments in the Middle East. According to a CCTV report, on February 27, the U.S.'s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, had arrived in Israeli waters. Combined with the long-stationed USS Abraham Lincoln, the U.S. military now has two major aircraft carriers deployed simultaneously in the Middle East. Just before the indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran, the U.S. military also deployed 12 F-22 Raptor fighter jets inside Israel to guard against potential Iranian retaliation following an attack.
Insiders revealed that the U.S. preferred for Israel to strike Iran first, with the U.S. following. One source disclosed, "There is a widespread belief within the U.S. government that it would be politically much better if Israel acted first and alone, and then Iran retaliated. This would give us more justification for action." The source added that regardless of whether Israel intended to act first, "the most likely scenario is a joint U.S.-Israel operation."
Analysis cited by CCTV suggests that the current actions of the Trump administration bear a striking resemblance to the invasion of Iraq over 20 years ago—at that time, the George W. Bush administration continuously increased troop levels while conducting a public relations campaign, exaggerating the threat of Iraq's so-called "weapons of mass destruction" to the Middle East and even U.S. homeland security to build a case for war.
Will Gold and Oil Prices Soar? Amid the escalating Middle East geopolitical tensions, prices of gold, silver, and oil are also climbing. On February 27, local time, April gold futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange settled at $5,247.90 per ounce, a gain of 1.03%. For silver, May futures settled at $93.291 per ounce, a significant increase of 6.52%.
In a recent report, Bank of America pointed out that gold prices could break through the $6,000 mark this year, while silver could again surpass the $100 mark. UBS believes that heightened geopolitical risks from U.S.-Iran tensions, combined with pressure on real interest rates from the Federal Reserve's easing cycle, could push the international spot price of gold toward a target of $6,200 in the coming months.
Alongside the rise in precious metals, international oil prices are also increasing. At the close of trading, April West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures rose by $1.81 to settle at $67.02 per barrel, a 2.78% increase. April Brent crude futures rose by $1.73 to settle at $72.48 per barrel, a 2.45% gain. The primary driver behind this wave of price increases is the tense situation between the U.S. and Iran.
The future price trajectory of the energy market will depend on the outcome of this Middle East conflict. Energy market consulting firm FGE NexantECA believes that war between the U.S. and Iran seems imminent, posing a risk of a sharp rise in oil prices. Fereidun Fesharaki, Chairman Emeritus of FGE NexantECA, stated in a media interview, "I find it hard to imagine they would choose to avoid this war and turn their ships around to go home." Fesharaki predicted that as the situation intensifies, international oil prices could potentially surge to $90-$100 per barrel.
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