Iran took another step up the escalation ladder by targeting energy infrastructure in the Gulf, including the Ras Tanura refinery in Saudi Arabia. Qatar suspended LNG production at its North Field, while multiple ports in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Oman halted operations.

Further west, Iranian drones impacted the UKs RAF Akrotiri base on the island of Cyprus. The UK confirmed minor damage to the runway. Additional drone threats prompted evacuations at Paphos International Airport (PFO) and the Akrotiri district. The UK and Greece sent military reinforcements.

Iran's primary proxy group, Hezbollah, entered the conflict by launching missiles and drone swarms at Israel's military base near Haifa. Israel responded by launching a large air campaign in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut targeting Hezbollah leadership and assets. Israel issued evacuation orders for more than 50 villages in southern Lebanon. Israel warned that this campaign will last several days.

In Pakistan, thousands of largely Shia, pro‑Iran demonstrators marched on the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, breaching the outer gate and attempting to storm the compound. Security forces (consulate guards and police) used tear gas, rubber bullets, and live fire. Reported fatalities in Karachi range from about 10 to at least 23 killed, with 50–60+ injured. Other protests were reported in Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad, and Lahore.

COMPANIES RACE TO REASSURE AND RELOCATE EMPLOYEES CAUGHT IN MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT

“Do not bunker in place. There are options. This could go a lot longer than we think.” 

As multinational companies scrambled to protect employees amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, The Wall Street Journal reported on Global Guardian’s large-scale evacuation and crisis response operations.

As of Sunday afternoon, Global Guardian had conducted 21 evacuation missions moving more than 700 people by ground and air from Israel and the Gulf region, underscoring the importance of proactive contingency planning in dynamic threat environments.

Israel and the United States continued to strike hundreds of targets in Iran with heavy strikes reported across Tehran. Israeli officials claim to have destroyed hundreds of Iranian missiles and around 200 ballistic missile launchers as the U.S. continued to strike Iranian naval targets. President Trump said the bombing would continue "throughout the week or as long as necessary.”  

On the diplomatic front, President Trump told The Atlantic that Iran wants to resume negotiations with the U.S. after the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, "I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them.” Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, told his Omani counterpart in a phone call that Tehran is open to any serious efforts at de-escalation. While these channels are open, it is unclear who in Iran has the authority to make an agreement. Meanwhile, the UAE has closed its embassy in Iran and withdrew its ambassador and all diplomats in response to the regime’s ongoing missile and drone attacks targeting the UAE. 

Overnight, Iranian state media confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened early Sunday morning to hit Iran with unprecedented force after Tehran warned it would step up attacks in retaliation for the killing of its supreme leader. Iranian President Pezeshkian, the head of the judiciary, and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi from the Council of Guardians of the Constitution, will temporarily govern the country. It is still unclear who will replace the Supreme Leader, though it is likely that a successor has been appointed in secret. 

Death tolls are rising across the GCC and Israel with at least three in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), one in Kuwait, and 11 in Israel, following continuous missile/drone strikes in UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Israel. Iran claims to now have struck 27 U.S. bases across the region. While delivering rhetorical support, Iran's regional proxies have yet to fully activate. 

Iran will continue to target key traveler-focused assets in the Gulf region such as luxury hotels, airports, and oil & gas commercial compounds should they choose to escalate.

 Following the launch of Operation Epic Fury by the U.S. and Operation Lion's Roar by Israel, Iran retaliated across the region by launching medium and short-range ballistic missiles and Shahed drones at U.S. bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain. Most projectiles were intercepted. There were multiple instances of falling debris from intercepted missiles striking buildings, landing on people, and catching buildings on fire. In Bahrain, a high-rise building was struck by a Shahed drone, possibly by accident or due to signal jamming. A similar incident happened in Dubai when the parking/entrance area of the Palm Hotel was hit by a Shahed drone, leading to multiple injuries but no fatalities. These types of attacks will continue across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. 

 President Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed during earlier strikes. This has not been confirmed by Iran, but there has been no visual or audio evidence produced by Iran that he is still alive. Additional reports suggest members of his family were also killed. It is likely that Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, is now in charge.  

During mid-morning hours local time on 28 February 2026, Israel launched pre-emptive strikes against Iran. President Trump then confirmed U.S. involvement in “major combat operations,” which are ongoing. Based on commentary from both Israel and the U.S., this is going to be a sustained military campaign targeting Iranian military and political leadership, military-industrial assets, and wide-ranging military targets—including nuclear sites—across Iran, with the goal of destroying command and control structures, degrading offensive and defensive capabilities, and ultimately bringing about regime change. Multiple U.S. embassies have issued shelter-in-place warnings while most of the region has closed airspace. Airlines have cancelled flights in response. Iran vowed a "crushing response" in retaliation and has targeted military bases in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

• Abide by local guidance regarding shelter-in-place orders.
• If in Israel, remain near bomb shelters and take immediate action at the sound of sirens.
• Be prepared for ongoing major airspace disruptions.

As of 27 February 2026, the potential for U.S. strikes on Iran remains elevated amidst a continued U.S. military buildup in the region, as yet unsuccessful negotiations, and other indicators and warnings suggesting imminent strikes. As such, Global Guardian continues to advise the following:

• Avoid non-essential travel to Israel. Consider leaving Israel while commercial flight options remain available.
• Reconsider travel to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
• Be prepared for major airspace disruptions in the event of conflict.

As of 26 February 2026, the situation in Mexico has stabilized. Late on 24 February, the state government of Jalisco lifted the "Code Red", reopening public transportation, the municipal government, and schools across the state. In Puerto Vallarta, commercial flights resumed in earnest. At the same time, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico lifted its shelter-in-place order but maintained a curfew for government staff in Guadalajara (Jalisco), Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco/Nayarit), Ciudad Guzmán (Jalisco), and Tijuana (Baja California). This curfew was lifted late on 25 February.

The Mexican government has deployed thousands of troops and federal officers to impacted areas to shore up security, dissuade violence, and bring peace of mind to the residents and visitors to those communities. In Quintana Roo, the governor deployed some 10,000 personnel, highlighting the seriousness of maintaining security in tourist areas which are vital to the Mexican economy.