In a significant development in the escalating military operations, the US Central Command revealed a new strategy aimed at depleting Tehran's missile capabilities, coinciding with intensive efforts within Washington to restructure its weapons production lines. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command in the Middle East, disclosed military assessments indicating that Tehran's ability to launch attacks has begun to diminish considerably, emphasizing that the current US strategy hinges on the depletion of Iranian forces' missile and drone stockpiles after days of intense clashes.

In a televised briefing, Cooper explained that intelligence and field data had detected Iran launching more than 500 ballistic missiles and over 2,000 drones—an extremely high rate of deployment that raises questions about Tehran's ability to sustain this momentum. These statements come as the United States launched a series of targeted offensive operations on February 28, employing its most advanced military arsenal, including Tomahawk missiles, F-35 stealth fighters, and low-cost attack drones, to strike Iranian military centers of gravity.

On the political and economic front, and in anticipation of any potential ammunition shortages, informed sources revealed that the Trump administration is urgently planning an extraordinary meeting at the White House this coming Friday. The meeting will include top executives from defense industry giants such as Lockheed Martin and RTX (the parent company of Raytheon). The aim of this meeting is to develop a roadmap for accelerating military production, given concerns about the depletion of the US strategic stockpile, which has been under immense pressure due to continued support for Ukraine since 2012, Israeli military operations in Gaza, and the current escalation with Iran.

In an unprecedented move reflecting a firm stance on arms procurement, the Pentagon intends to issue a blacklist of contractors deemed "poor performers." According to the new directives, these companies will be given no more than 15 days to submit corrective action plans approved by their boards of directors, or face the risk of contract cancellation. This pressure coincides with efforts led by Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg to secure a supplemental budget of $50 billion, earmarked for replacing expended munitions and modernizing the military arsenal to ensure readiness for any long-term future scenarios, despite Trump's assurances on social media that there are "unlimited supplies.".

Press reports, citing informed sources, have revealed details of a "secret phone call" that took place between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 23, which proved to be a major turning point that ignited the potential for direct conflict with Iran. According to Axios, this call was not merely a routine consultation, but included an exchange of highly sensitive intelligence that altered the course of events in the Middle East.

Golden intelligence and a valuable catch

On that fateful day, Netanyahu initiated a call to Trump to reveal precise intelligence indicating that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with his top advisors and inner circle, planned to meet at a single location in the heart of Tehran on the morning of February 28. Netanyahu described this rare gathering as an irreplaceable "historic opportunity" to deliver a decisive blow to the Iranian regime with a single, devastating airstrike—a prospect both sides considered too tempting to miss.

Background of security coordination and intelligence verification

The US president not only made his decision immediately based on the call, but also ordered an urgent security review. According to sources, Trump directed the CIA to verify the accuracy of the Israeli intelligence. This action comes within the context of a long history of close intelligence cooperation between Washington and Tel Aviv, where shared information forms the cornerstone of both countries' security strategies regarding regional threats. Indeed, the CIA later confirmed the accuracy of the information regarding the "simultaneous presence" of the Iranian leadership at the specified location, reinforcing the conviction that action was necessary.

The diplomatic track failed, and strategic camouflage was employed

Despite his inclination towards a military strike, Trump insisted on exhausting all diplomatic avenues first. In this context, his envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Wittkopf, delivered an assessment from Geneva indicating that talks with Iranian officials had reached an impasse. To ensure the success of any military action, Trump deliberately avoided focusing on Iran in his State of the Union address on February 25, a shrewd tactical move intended to create strategic deception and avoid arousing Tehran's suspicions, which might have prompted its leaders to alter their course of action.

Zero hour and the repercussions of the event

By February 26, with intelligence confirmed and diplomacy failing, the final decision had been made. At 3:38 p.m. Eastern Time on February 27, Trump ordered the attack. Just 11 hours later, bombs fell on Tehran, killing Khamenei and igniting war. This event not only represents a change in the rules of engagement but is also expected to cast a long shadow over the geopolitical landscape of the entire region, ending an era of proxy wars and ushering in a new phase of direct confrontation that could redraw the map of influence in the Middle East.

Southern Lebanon and Mount Lebanon are witnessing a dangerous and unprecedented military escalation, as the Israeli army launched a series of violent air raids that affected wide areas, accompanied by the issuance of urgent warnings to the residents of about 30 southern towns and villages about the need for immediate evacuation, in a development that threatens to worsen the humanitarian and field conditions.

Details of the raids and the death toll

The Lebanese Ministry of Health announced in official statements that 11 people were killed and 23 others were injured in varying degrees as a result of airstrikes that targeted different areas early Wednesday morning. This bombardment comes on the heels of a bloody day in the country, with authorities reporting 50 deaths and 335 injuries the previous day, reflecting the intensity of the attacks and the widening scope of the targeting to include populated residential areas.

In the Baalbek-Hermel governorate, warplanes targeted a residential complex, killing five civilians and wounding 15 others. The airstrikes also extended to areas in Mount Lebanon, including Hazmieh, Aramoun, and Saadiyat. Simultaneously, powerful explosions rocked Beirut's southern suburbs, sending plumes of thick smoke into the air from Haret Hreik and surrounding areas, causing widespread panic among residents.

Evacuation alerts and fire circle expansion

In a move indicating an intention to expand military operations, the Israeli army spokesman issued warnings to residents of dozens of villages and towns, including Rabaa Thalathin, Markaba, Houla, Qana, and the coastal city of Tyre, asking them to leave their homes immediately and head north of the Awali River, and to stay at least one kilometer away from the facilities that the army claims are being used by Hezbollah.

Field context and ground movements

On the ground and along the border, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) observed Israeli ground movements, reporting that Israeli soldiers crossed the Blue Line at four different points before withdrawing. These movements coincide with reports of the Lebanese army redeploying and withdrawing from some forward observation posts along the border, raising concerns about the possibility of a wider ground incursion.

Humanitarian repercussions and the displacement crisis

This ongoing military escalation has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, with official estimates indicating that some 58,000 people have been displaced from the south, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern suburbs of Beirut in the past few hours. These displaced people are facing dire conditions due to a shortage of shelters and the immense strain on the healthcare sector, which is already operating at full capacity to cope with the rising number of infections.

Reactions and developments in the confrontation

In response, Hezbollah announced a series of combined drone and missile attacks targeting military bases and sites in northern Israel. The party asserted in its statements that these operations were a legitimate response to Israeli aggression and in support of the Lebanese people's resilience. Observers note that this level of engagement is the most serious since the November 2014 agreement, opening up a range of scenarios that could lead to fundamental changes in the existing rules of engagement.