The US used a new laser weapon system as part of the wave of strikes it has carried out against Iran.
US and Israeli forces have carried out a sustained round of attacks on Iran, with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei confirmed to have been killed.
The strikes began after talks over Iran’s nuclear programme failed to produce an agreement, prompting the US and Israel to take military action.
Iran has since responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel as well as nearby Middle Eastern countries hosting US military bases.
One of the systems the US has brought into play is HELIOS — short for High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance.
Video shared by US Central Command on X appears to show the HELIOS weapon mounted on a US Navy ship.
Named after the Greek sun god, HELIOS is designed to help stop drones and missiles before they reach their intended targets.
Speaking to the New York Post, Brent David Ziarnick — a retired US Air Force officer and former professor within the Space Force programme at Johns Hopkins University — said satellites can play a key role in identifying launches.
He said: “They can spot the missiles and pinpoint where the launchers are. The missiles can be intercepted and destroyed [often with Patriot missiles].
As the President stated, our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.
The President ordered bold action. CENTCOM forces are delivering an overwhelming and unrelenting blow. pic.twitter.com/B0k5gV4YnU
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 28, 2026
“Field forces get notified that an attack is coming, so they can go to shelters or bunkers.”
Since the conflict began, Donald Trump has said there will be no deal with Iran ‘except unconditional surrender’.
Israel has also carried out strikes on Beirut in Lebanon. Lebanese health officials say 217 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on the city, according to Reuters.
In Iran, 168 children and teachers have reportedly been confirmed dead after a strike hit a school in Minab in the country’s south, with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth confirming the US is investigating the incident.
While it has not been confirmed who carried out the attack, The Guardian reports that US military investigators have indicated current evidence points to a US strike.
The war has prompted condemnation and protests internationally, including from Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchéz, who criticised US military action.
In a speech, Sanchez said: “The government’s position can be summed up in four words: No to war.”
He said ‘four words’ because in Spanish ‘no to war’ is ‘no a la guerra’
Sanchéz added: “The question is not if we are on the side of the ayatollahs – nobody is. The question is whether we are in favour of peace and international legality.”