Haaretz Podcast Breaking news podcast: Inside the high-stakes U.S.-Israel attack on Iran | Haaretz defense analyst Amos Harel
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Feb 28, 2026 
Amos Harel, senior defense analyst for Haaretz, offers on-the-ground perspective from Tel Aviv. He walks through the U.S.-led strikes and coordination challenges. He discusses Iran’s immediate retaliatory missile strikes and regional ripple effects. He assesses the risk of proxy escalation and the political calculations inside Iran.
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U.S. Leads Joint Strike Not Israel
- The U.S.-Israel strikes were a jointly coordinated campaign with the United States leading the operation rather than Israel.
- Amos Harel says this contrasts with June's 12-day war where Israel led and the U.S. later joined, signalling higher U.S. initiative now.
Unprecedented Visible U.S.-Israel Military Coordination
- The scale and visible coordination between U.S. and Israeli forces is unprecedented in recent history.
- Harel highlights U.S. tanking and visible joint activity once only seen in limited support roles previously.
Iran Targets U.S. Bases In Gulf First
- Iran's retaliation targeted Gulf states hosting U.S. bases more than Israel initially.
- Harel notes missiles struck Bahrain, UAE, and Qatar aimed at U.S. facilities while Israel saw many intercepted launches.