The United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on multiple targets across Iranian cities on Saturday, with explosions reported in the capital, Tehran.
The operation followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who had voiced dissatisfaction with Iran’s position in ongoing negotiations over its nuclear and missile programmes. Trump said the strikes were aimed at neutralising what he described as imminent threats, while Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz called the action a “preventive strike.”
In a video message shared online, Trump confirmed that US forces had begun what he described as major combat operations in Iran. He stated that Washington intended to dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities and naval forces, warning the Iranian military of severe consequences if it resisted.
Iranian state media reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian was unharmed. The Fars news agency said missile strikes hit areas including the Keshvardoost and Pasteur districts of Tehran. Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions and seeing missiles overhead.
As the strikes unfolded, Iran, Iraq, and Israel closed their airspace to civilian flights. US embassies in Qatar and Bahrain advised American citizens to seek shelter, while sirens sounded in Jerusalem and Israeli authorities issued emergency alerts.
The military action came shortly after talks between US and Iranian officials in Geneva. Although Trump criticised Tehran’s negotiating stance, Oman — which mediated the discussions — said Iran had agreed to halt uranium stockpiling and convert existing reserves into fuel. Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi, shared the update during meetings in Washington with US Vice President JD Vance.
The strikes also follow weeks of unrest in Iran, during which authorities reportedly suppressed mass protests.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Israel on Monday for further discussions on Iran. In a departure from tradition, he will reportedly travel without journalists on board.
