The United States and Israel on Saturday launched what they described as a preventive missile strike against Iran, triggering massive explosions across Tehran and sharply escalating tensions in the Middle East. Multiple missiles struck central and eastern parts of the Iranian capital, with thick plumes of smoke seen rising over several areas, according to Reuters citing local media. Reports said the presidential complex was among the locations targeted. Iranâs Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was moved to a secure location following the strikes.
In a statement, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the operation was aimed at eliminating threats posed by Iran. He described the action as a âpre-emptive attackâ to safeguard Israelâs security. Israeli officials confirmed the operation was coordinated with the United States.
Israelâs military said air raid sirens were sounded across parts of the country to prepare civilians for possible retaliatory missile attacks from Iran. Authorities also imposed a temporary ban on educational activities, public gatherings and non-essential workplaces, while exempting critical services.
The strikes come months after a 12-day aerial confrontation between Israel and Iran in June, one of the most direct clashes between the long-time adversaries. The latest development follows repeated warnings from both Washington and Israel that military action could resume if Iran continued advancing its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
Notably, the escalation occurs even as diplomatic talks between Tehran and Washington had resumed in February in an effort to resolve the long-standing dispute. Israel has insisted that any agreement must ensure the complete dismantling of Iranâs nuclear infrastructure and address its missile capabilities.
Iran has maintained it is open to discussing limits on its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief but has ruled out negotiations on its missile systems. Tehran has also warned neighbouring countries hosting US forces that they could face consequences if American bases are used for attacks.
Several Middle Eastern nations, including Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Kuwait and the UAE, partially closed their airspace and cancelled flights after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, triggering retaliatory attacks and regional disruption.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: One person was killed in the United Arab Emirates after debris from intercepted Iranian missiles fell in Abu Dhabi, according to the state-run WAM news agency.
Citing the UAE defence ministry, WAM reported that air defence systems had intercepted âa numberâ of ballistic missiles fired by Iran at sites in the Emirati capital. The ministry said an Asian national died after missile debris struck a residential area. The UAE described the strike as âa dangerous escalation and a cowardly actâ.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: Several senior commanders of Iranâs Revolutionary Guards and political officials have been killed in coordinated US and Israel-led strikes on Tehran, an Iranian source close to the establishment told news agency Reuters. However, details on the exact number of casualties or the identities of those killed were not immediately available.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES:Â One person was killed in Abu Dhabi after the United Arab Emirates intercepted Iranian missiles, according to the state news agency.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: Air strikes on Iraqâs Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), known in Arabic as Hashd al-Shaabi, in Baghdad have killed one and wounded three. The PMF is an Iranian-backed paramilitary group that operates within Iraq.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: IndiGo on Saturday said it is closely monitoring developments around Iran and the wider Middle East after US-led strikes on Tehran and the Islamic Republicâs retaliatory action heightened regional tensions and disrupted airspace.
In a travel advisory, IndiGo said the safety and security of its passengers and crew remain its top priority, adding that internal teams are on standby to make operational adjustments if required as the situation evolves. The airline said it is tracking updates related to Iran and surrounding airspace in real time.
IndiGo advised passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. It said any changes or disruptions would be communicated promptly through registered contact details.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: The US Embassy in Jerusalem has directed all American government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehranâs subsequent retaliation on American bases in the Middle East.
âAs a result of the current security situation, the US Embassy has directed all US government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice. The Government of Israel has closed the airspace to all civilian flights. All commercial flights from Ben Gurion Airport have been cancelled,â the embassy said.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: Mobile phone lines have been cut in parts of Eastern and Western Tehran, while internet connectivity has been weakened, Reuters reported, quoting Iranian media.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: Germanyâs Lufthansa said it is suspending flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon, and Oman until March 7 after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, a company spokesperson said on Saturday.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES:Â The Middle East is on the boil after Iran attacked a US naval base in Bahrain and the Al-Dhafra airbase in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Explosions were heard in Manama and Abu Dhabi following Iranâs retaliation in the wake of US-Israeli strikes against Tehran.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES:Â The US military is expected to carry out a multi-day operation against Iran, a US official told news agency Reuters.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: Israel has named its offensive against Iran Lionâs Roar, a title personally chosen by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
-The Pentagon confirmed that the American military campaign against Iran has been named Epic Fury.
-Iran has reportedly launched the first wave of ballistic missiles toward Israel under an operation named âFateh Khyber.â
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen announced they will resume missile and drone attacks on shipping routes and Israel in the Red Sea, aiming to support Tehran, a rebel official told AP. This comes after the US and Israel launched strikes against Tehran after weeks of uncertainty over fears of a full-blown conflict in the Middle East.
The Houthis stopped their attacks on ships and on Israel after the Gaza peace plan came into effect in November 2025. The rebels had launched attacks on Israeli ships and other tankers aligned to the Jewish nation when the Gaza war broke out on October 7, 2023.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES:Â Iran-US tensions live updates: Acknowledging the fact that the operation against Iran may have caused American casualties, President Trump on Saturday said the âlives of courageous American heroes may be lostâ âWe may have casualties,â he said in a video posted on social media and added, âThat often happens in war.â
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES:Â Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have said that they will resume missile and drone attacks on shipping routes and on Israel in support of Iran, AP reported, quoting two senior Houthi officials. One of the officials said the rebelsâ first attack could come as soon as âtonight.â
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says joint attack with US was to âremove an existential threat posedâ by Iran. He further said joint US campaign will let Iranians âtake their fate into their own hands.â
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: Amid the fresh flareup between Israel and Iran, sirens have been sounded in Jordon.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: The first wave of Iranian ballistic missiles launched towards Israel.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: Israel has issues a nationwide warning after Iran reportedly launched missiles. This comes after Tehran vowed crushing response against Israel following strikes on Saturday.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: President Donald Trump has appealed to the Iranian people to âtake over your governmentâ after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. He said, âIt will be yours to take. Hour of your freedom is at hand.â
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: Following the Israeli and US strikes on Iran, Reza Pahlavi, Iranâs exiled crown prince in a message to President Donald Trump said âThe noble people of Iran, despite the savage repression and massacres of this regime, stood firm with courage for nearly two months. I now ask you to exercise the utmost caution to preserve the lives of civilians and my compatriots. The people of Iran are your natural allies and those of the free world, and they will never forget your support in the most difficult period in contemporary Iranian history.â
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: US President Donald Trump has confirmed US role in Iran strikes after Israel hit Tehran on Saturday as he said that US has begun âmajor combat operations in Iran.â
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: Following the strikes on Iran, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States had begun âmajor combat operationsâ in Iran. âOur objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,â Trump said in a video shared on social media.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: India on Saturday issued an advisory for its nationals in Israel after the Israeli strikes on Iran and asked citizens to âexercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times.â
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: As Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran on Saturday, the operation is being called âLionâs Roarâ, according to Israeli officials.
US, Israel-Iran Open War LIVE UPDATES: Following the Israeli strikes on Tehran, Iran has shut its airspace, while the internet services have also been disrupted.
Israel Strikes Iran LIVE Updates: The United States is participating in the strikes against Iran after Israel launched attack against Tehran on Saturday, a US official was quoted as saying by AP.
Israel Strikes Iran LIVE Updates: Iran-US tensions live updates: Iranâs Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been moved out of Tehran to a secure location, Reuters reported, quoting officials. The first Israeli strike on Saturday reportedly hit Tehran near Ayatollahâs offices.
