Explosions were heard in downtown Tehran on Saturday morning after Israel launched a ‘pre-emptive strike' in the Iranian capital city. Several missiles reportedly struck University Street and the Jomhuri area in Tehran according to Fars news agency.
BREAKING: War on Iran starts.
— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 28, 2026
Israel has just hit Tehran. pic.twitter.com/oPSTBapXYi
The strikes happened near the offices of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran International reported. The attacks targetted the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, Ministry of Defence, Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran and the Parchin military complex
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been moved to a secure location, according to a source who spoke to Reuters. President Pezeshkian also remains unharmed.
Iranian media reported that there were an additional two explosions in the city of Qom which is home to the world's biggest Shia seminary and in Karaj and Kermanshah.
Tehran is preparing a response to the attacks. Ebrahim Azizi, Iran's head of the national security commission of the Iranian parliament posted on X saying, "We warned you! Now you have started down a path which end is no longer in your control."
The IRGC linked Tasnim News Agency reported that Iran's airspace has been closed until further notice.
The strikes were confirmed by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz as the country also declared a state of emergency nationwide. The Israeli military said that schools were shut and asked residents to work from home, anticipating possible Iranian retaliation with drones and ballistic missiles
"In the last few minutes, sirens were sounded throughout Israel, with an advance instruction alert directly to cellular devices to stay within proximity to protected spaces. This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel. The IDF emphasizes that the public is requested to stay in proximity to protected spaces," an announcement by the Defense ministry on X read.
Israel's Airports Authority also announced that its airspace have also been closed to all civilian flights.
US President Donald Trump said that the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran were aimed at “eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime”. He posted an eight minute video regarding the strike on his social media platform Truth Social.
“Short time ago, US military began major combat operation in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime,” Trump said.
Trump also said that his administration would ensure that that the "terrorist regime would never have a nuclear weapon."
The strikes have come after weeks of back and forth talks and a US military buildup around the country. The US had deployed two aircraft carriers and a number of naval destroyers and more than 50 fighter jets to the region. The focus of the strikes is Iran's military apparatus according to one offficial who spoke to the NYT.
