The U.S. and Israel attack on Iran unleashed a wave of explosions across the country Saturday, marking one of the most sweeping military operations in decades and sending shockwaves through the Middle East and global markets.
President Donald Trump announced that American forces had begun “major combat operations,” framing the strikes as a bid to eliminate what he called imminent threats from Tehran and to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He urged Iranian civilians to ultimately rise up against their clerical rulers once the campaign concludes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces carried out a “powerful, surprise strike” that destroyed the compound of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, adding there were indications the Iranian leader was “gone.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi countered earlier that Khamenei was alive “as far as I know,” condemning the assault as “wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate.”
Explosions Across Iran
Tehran and Beyond
Shortly after 9:30 a.m. local time, Iranian media reported blasts in Tehran. Smoke rose over Jomhouri Square and Hassan Abad Square as panic rippled through the capital.
Explosions were also reported in Karaj, Isfahan, Qom and Kermanshah. Verified footage showed detonations within a kilometer of Leadership House — Khamenei’s heavily guarded compound. Satellite imagery later revealed scorched buildings, scattered debris and thick plumes of smoke.
It remained unclear whether Khamenei was present during the strike. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei told reporters he was “not in a situation to confirm anything.”
The office of President Masoud Pezeshkian was also reportedly targeted. State television said he was safe and later released a statement.
An Israeli military official said U.S. and Israeli forces hit three gatherings of senior Iranian officials, eliminating multiple high-ranking figures.
Despite a near-total internet blackout detected late Saturday morning, additional waves of explosions echoed throughout the day. Iran’s state news agency reported blasts in Lorestan, Hamadan, Ilam, Tabriz, Hormozgan, Qeshm Island and numerous other provinces.
By evening, an Iranian Red Crescent spokesman said 24 of the country’s 31 provinces had been struck. Authorities reported 201 people killed and 747 injured nationwide by 8:45 p.m., though no regional breakdown was provided.
State media said at least 85 people were killed in a strike on a girls’ primary school in Minab, Hormozgan province. The reports could not be independently verified.
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation closed the nation’s airspace until further notice.
