TEHRAN (Realist English). The United States and Israel have launched coordinated military strikes on Iran, with multiple explosions reported in Tehran and other parts of the country, as retaliatory blasts and missile interceptions were recorded in northern Israel and several Gulf states.
Iranian media reported that missiles hit areas along University Street and in the Jomhouri district of the capital. Smoke was seen rising over parts of Tehran. Explosions were also reported in the northern Seyyed Khandan neighborhood, according to Tasnim news agency, as well as in western Ilam province and other regions across the country.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the start of what he described as a “major combat operation” aimed at “eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.” He said the objective was to protect American citizens and neutralize perceived dangers.
Iranian officials signaled that retaliation was imminent. A senior official told Reuters that Tehran was preparing a “crushing” response. State television said Iran intended to “take revenge” and deliver a “strong response.” Another senior official told Al Jazeera that American and Israeli interests in the Middle East had become “legitimate targets,” adding that “there are no red lines after this aggression.”
Explosions were also heard in northern Israel as air defense systems were activated to intercept incoming missiles. The Israeli military said it was working to neutralize Iranian projectiles. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Missile alerts were triggered in Qatar, where the Defense Ministry said an Iranian missile had been intercepted by a Patriot system. Explosions were also reported in Bahrain, which said the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet had been targeted. A loud blast was heard in Abu Dhabi, while Kuwait also reported explosions. Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates temporarily closed their airspace.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes were intended to remove what he called an “existential threat.” He described the action as a joint US-Israeli effort and praised Trump’s leadership, saying it could reshape regional dynamics.
US officials said the operation involved both air and naval assets. According to reports, one of the areas targeted in Tehran was near offices associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Reuters cited an official as saying Khamenei had been moved to a secure location outside the capital.
Communications disruptions were reported in parts of Tehran, with local journalists saying mobile phone networks were down in several districts.
In Israel, sirens sounded nationwide and a state of emergency was declared. The Israel Airports Authority closed the country’s airspace to civilian flights. The US embassy in Qatar instructed staff to shelter in place, and Iraq also shut its airspace.
According to Israeli defense sources cited by Reuters, the operation had been prepared for months, with the timing finalized weeks ago, even as Washington and Tehran were engaged in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
Regional analysts suggested the strikes may significantly alter the trajectory of those talks, raising concerns about a broader escalation across the Middle East.