Israel has launched a pre-emptive military strike on Iran’s capital, Tehran, in a dramatic escalation of tensions that has thrust the Middle East toward the brink of a wider conflict. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced early Saturday that the attack was carried out “to remove threats to the State of Israel,” with explosions reported in central Tehran and thick plumes of smoke seen rising over the city shortly after dawn.
Iranian state media said blasts were heard near government districts and residential areas, and authorities responded by shutting down Tehran’s airspace and mobile phone networks amid growing uncertainty over civilian safety. The capital’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was reportedly moved to a secure location as the assault unfolded.
According to official and media reports, the United States participated in the operations alongside Israel, marking one of the most significant coordinated strikes on Iranian territory in decades. US forces, already deployed in the region with carrier strike groups and fighter jets, were reported to be backing the assault, although the full extent of American involvement has not been publicly detailed.
Israel declared a state of emergency, closed its airspace to civilian flights and urged citizens to prepare for possible Iranian retaliation, including anticipated missile and drone attacks. Sirens were heard across Israeli cities as defensive measures were activated.
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the longstanding dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme had been underway earlier in February, but sources say negotiations were stalled over disagreements about constraints on Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, fuelled in part by renewed pressure from Washington and Jerusalem.
Iran has vowed to respond to the strikes, warning that American military personnel and bases in the region could become targets if US forces are involved in the offensive. There has been no immediate independent verification of casualties or the precise targets hit in Tehran.
