US Warplanes Strike Iran from Israeli Bases, Crypto Market Sees Massive Loss

Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, revealed that US warplanes conducted airstrikes on Iran from Israeli military bases. The strikes began on February 28, 2026, and were characterized by Israeli officials as pre-emptive in nature.

Katz declared a state of emergency in Israel, signaling the government's concern about the security situation. He followed up with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on July 16, 2026, to discuss ongoing operations in Iran, confirming coordination between Washington and Jerusalem was part of an active, ongoing military campaign.

Before the strikes, Israel signaled its readiness for both independent and joint military actions against Iran. The February 28 operation was not a surprise to those who had been watching the build-up.

The military action sent shockwaves through financial markets, with Bitcoin falling below $64,000 in the immediate aftermath of the strikes. The broader crypto market lost $128 billion in value following the US-Israeli military action.