Trending 
The United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes in Iran on Saturday, according to statements from both governments, with explosions reported in Tehran and rising tensions across the region.
The developments followed an announcement by US President Donald Trump and Israeli officials that military action was underway. Iranian authorities later reported retaliatory missile and drone launches, which caused several countries to close their airspace.
Strikes reported in Iran
Smoke was seen rising over parts of Tehran after what Israel described as pre-emptive strikes.
President Trump later posted a video statement on his Truth Social platform announcing US combat operations in Iran, saying the objective was “eliminating imminent threats.”
The Israeli military said it targeted several locations in Tehran where it alleged senior Iranian officials were present. It added that it was now “now assessing the results of the attack”, and was also targeting missile launchers in western Iran.
Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that the strikes were aimed at senior Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. There was no immediate independent confirmation of that report.
Iranian state media said at least 51 students were killed in a strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran, according to a provincial official who attributed the deaths to Israeli action. In southern Iraq, authorities said a bombing targeted a military base housing a pro-Iran group, killing at least two people.
Missile and drone launches
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched a first wave of missile and drone attacks toward Israel and targeted US military assets in the region, including the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.
“The first wave of widespread missile and drone attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against the occupied territories has begun,” the IRGC said in a statement, referring to Israel.
Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service said it treated one man for blast injuries in northern Israel after incoming projectiles were reported. The Israeli military said search and rescue teams were deployed to multiple sites.
Iran’s foreign ministry said Tehran would “respond decisively,” adding that it had done “everything necessary to prevent war” from breaking out.
“Just as we were ready for negotiations, we are now more prepared than ever to defend the Iranian nation,” it said.
Explosions across the Gulf
Explosions were reported in several Gulf countries.
The United Arab Emirates said it intercepted a second wave of Iranian strikes. Authorities in Abu Dhabi said one civilian was killed in an earlier incident.
Witnesses in Dubai reported hearing explosions and seeing missiles in the sky.
AFP correspondents reported loud explosions in Riyadh, Manama and Doha. Qatar’s defence ministry said it intercepted several missile attacks. Kuwait also reported engaging incoming missiles.
Saudi Arabia condemned attacks targeting neighbouring countries but did not report strikes on its own territory.
Jordan claimed to have shot down two ballistic missiles and promised to defend “with all its might.”
Explosions were also heard near the US consulate in Erbil, according to AFP journalists on the ground.
International reaction
French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting.
Oman’s foreign minister, who has been mediating talks between Tehran and Washington, said he was “dismayed” by the escalation.
Australia expressed support for US actions, while the United Kingdom warned of the risk of a wider regional conflict.
The European Union described the situation as “perilous” and urged the protection of civilians.
Russia criticised the strikes as a “dangerous adventure” that could spark “catastrophe” in the region. Pakistan called the attacks “unwarranted” and urged an immediate halt to escalation.
Lebanon said it would not be drawn into the conflict. Hamas condemned the strikes on Iran. Hezbollah had not publicly commented at the time of reporting.
Airspace closures
Several countries suspended flights or closed airspace as a precaution.
Qatar temporarily closed its airspace, and Qatar Airways suspended flights from Doha. Iraq closed its airspace, while Syria shut part of its southern airspace for 12 hours.
Russia cancelled commercial flights to Iran and Israel. Air France and Lufthansa suspended multiple regional routes. Turkish Airlines, Air India and several other carriers from Europe and Asia also paused or cancelled flights.
