US-Israel attack on Iran: how it unfolded

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) published a detailed report on February 28, 2026, outlining a timeline of events leading to what it describes as a major US-Israel military strike on Iran. The article centers on a series of public threats and ultimatums issued by former US President Donald Trump in the preceding months, including a late January warning that "time is running out" and a February 12 threat of "very traumatic" consequences if a deal was not reached within "10, 15 days, pretty much maximum." The report contextualizes this within Trump's long-standing adversarial stance toward Iran and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's framing of Iran as an existential threat, setting the stage for the alleged coordinated military action.

The SCMP article, presented with a 'Why you can trust SCMP' label and timestamped updates, constructs a narrative where diplomatic pressure through indirect talks gave way to direct military confrontation. It references Netanyahu's decades-long campaign against Iran's nuclear ambitions and support for militant groups, as well as his calls for regime change. The reporting suggests the strikes represent a dramatic escalation following a failed diplomatic window, potentially marking a significant shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics and US foreign policy posture. The piece serves as a chronological account from the outlet's perspective, highlighting the volatile intersection of rhetoric, diplomacy, and military action.