The US and Israel attack Iran
Newscast
BBC
4.3 • 6.6K Ratings
🗓️ 28 February 2026
⏱️ 44 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Today, we look at US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
US president Donald Trump has described ongoing "major combat operations" and called for Iranian government forces to lay down their arms.
Iranian forces say they have struck a US naval base in Bahrain and across the region in response.
Earlier, Israel's defence minister said Israel had launched a "pre-emptive attack" against Iran, with explosions heard across the country.
Chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet, just back from Iran, joins to explain what's happening, why, and what could happen next.
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The presenters were Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davies. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The weekend series producer is Chris Flynn. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, radio, podcasts. |
| 0:05.0 | So, Paddy, for some time, we've seen American forces building up a presence around Iran. |
| 0:11.0 | And early this morning, the attack that had been anticipated for some time began. |
| 0:16.0 | A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. |
| 0:24.6 | Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, |
| 0:32.6 | a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. |
| 0:39.0 | We've seen videos from Tehran, |
| 0:40.6 | the country's capital of smoke billowing from buildings. |
| 0:45.2 | And the now familiar sounds of sirens ringing out in Israel. |
| 0:51.6 | Followed by explosions which the BBC has authenticated across Gulf states where the US has bases. |
| 0:59.9 | We're talking to you and recording at 1238 on Saturday. |
| 1:06.3 | We are in the very early stages, Paddy, but this looks like it could be a very grave chapter in the |
| 1:11.9 | many chapters of conflict in the Middle East. |
| 1:14.8 | Newscast from the BBC. |
| 1:17.1 | Fat boy sliver me in the classroom doing our violin lessons. |
| 1:20.0 | I was the tappletail in the class. |
| 1:21.4 | Can I have an apology, please? |
| 1:22.7 | I trust almost nobody. |
| 1:24.4 | That daddy has to sometimes do strong language. |
| 1:26.8 | Next time in Moscow. I feel delulu with no salulu. Take me down to sometimes do strong language. Next time in Moscow. |
| 1:28.5 | I feel delulu with no salulu. |
| 1:30.3 | Take me down to Downey Street. |
... |
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