Explosions were reported in Iran’s capital Tehran on Saturday morning after Israel launched what it described as a preemptive strike, escalating tensions in the Middle East. Sirens also sounded across Israel amid warnings of possible retaliatory missile fire.
The strikes reportedly occurred near the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to Reuters, the 86-year-old leader was not in Tehran at the time and had been moved to a secure location. There was no immediate confirmation of casualties.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the attack was carried out “to remove threats,” without providing further details.
Sirens across Israel
Around the same time, air raid sirens were activated in Tel Aviv and other parts of Israel. The Israeli military warned of the “possibility of missiles” being launched toward the country.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement:
“In the last few minutes, sirens were sounded all throughout Israel, with an advance instruction alert directly to cellular devices to stay within proximity to protected spaces. This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel. The IDF emphasizes that the public is requested to stay in proximity to protected spaces.”
Iran and Israel later shut their respective airspace following the attack.
US confirms role
US President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States had launched “major combat operations” in Iran shortly after Israel’s strikes. According to news agency AP, citing an official, the US also participated in the Israeli operation.
Trump said the objective was to “defend the American people by removing imminent threats from Iran”.
Calling Iran the world’s “number one state sponsor of terror”, he said:
“For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted, Death to America, and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops, and the innocent people in many, many countries. The regime’s proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years, as well as US naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes.”
“It was Iran’s proxy, Hamas, that launched the monstrous October 7th attacks on Israel, slaughtering more than 1,000 innocent people, including 46 Americans, while taking 12 of our citizens hostage. It was brutal, something like the world has never seen before,” he added.
In a message directed at the Iranian people, Trump said:
“It’s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take.”
“This will probably be your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so let’s see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force,” he added.
Earlier, Trump had expressed dissatisfaction with the ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
“I’m not happy with the fact that they’re not willing to give us what we have to have. I’m not thrilled with that. We’ll see what happens. We’re talking later. We’re not exactly happy with the way they’re negotiating. They cannot have nuclear weapons,” he had said.
When asked how close he was to deciding on whether to launch a military strike, Trump said, “I’d rather not tell you.”
The developments mark a sharp escalation in the long-running tensions between Iran and Israel, with the involvement of the United States raising fears of a wider regional conflict.
