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.

Washington and Jerusalem’s Objectives

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the assault as a “pre-emptive strike” designed to remove looming threats, warning Israelis to brace for retaliation.

Trump, in a video message, said the campaign aimed to “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry,” vowing to obliterate Iran’s naval capabilities and dismantle its regional proxy network. He reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.

The statement followed weeks of escalating warnings from Washington demanding a new nuclear agreement. Tehran maintains its nuclear program is strictly peaceful.

Trump offered Iranian security forces what he called “complete immunity” if they laid down arms — or “certain death” if they resisted — and told civilians to prepare for sweeping change once the bombing ends.

Netanyahu echoed that message, saying the operation would “create the conditions” for Iranians to seize their future and remove what he called tyranny. Later, he said the strikes eliminated Revolutionary Guard commanders and senior nuclear officials.

The U.S. military’s Central Command said the operation targeted command centers, missile launch sites, drone facilities, air defenses and military airfields to dismantle Iran’s security apparatus.

The Israel Defense Forces said roughly 200 fighter jets dropped hundreds of munitions on about 500 targets in western and central Iran, severely degrading offensive capabilities.

Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the IDF chief of staff, said the joint operation followed months of deep planning between U.S. and Israeli military leadership, dating back to last June’s 12-day conflict during which the U.S. struck three major Iranian nuclear facilities.

Iran Strikes Back

Tehran’s response was swift. The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said it fired missiles at multiple Israeli sites and five major U.S. military facilities in the region, including:

• Al Udeid airbase in Qatar

• Al Dhafra airbase in the UAE

• U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain

• Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait

• Muwaffaq Salti airbase in Jordan

The IRGC claimed a U.S. combat support vessel suffered “severe blows” and that a U.S. radar system in Qatar was destroyed.

The European Union naval mission, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, reported radio warnings from Iranian forces declaring the Strait of Hormuz closed — a narrow artery carrying roughly 20% of global oil and gas shipments.

U.S. Central Command said American forces defended against hundreds of missiles and drones, reporting no U.S. deaths or combat-related injuries and minimal operational impact.

Israeli media said about 150 Iranian ballistic missiles were launched toward Israel. Air defenses intercepted many; others struck open areas.

Magen David Adom reported treating a teenager for shrapnel wounds and several others for blast-related injuries.

In the Gulf, the UAE intercepted missiles, though falling debris killed a Pakistani civilian in Abu Dhabi and injured four others in Dubai. Kuwait reported injuries to three soldiers at Ali Al Salem airbase and minor damage at its international airport. Bahrain said residential buildings were damaged in Manama and Muharraq, and confirmed a missile strike near the U.S. Fifth Fleet service center. Qatar reported intercepting several missile waves over Doha.

Travel Disruptions and Oil Market Fears

Airlines scrambled to reroute flights as airspace closures spread across the region. Wizz Air suspended services to Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman, and halted Saudi routes temporarily. British Airways canceled flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain. Emirates, Lufthansa, Air India, Virgin Atlantic and Turkish Airlines also announced suspensions.

Iraq and Jordan shut their airspace. The UAE partially closed its skies as a precaution.

The UK Foreign Office advised travelers across Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Oman to remain vigilant and follow local authority guidance.

Oil traders braced for turbulence. With the Strait of Hormuz under threat, analysts warned prices could surge sharply when markets reopen.

The U.S. and Israel attack on Iran has redrawn the strategic map overnight — a lightning strike that could either reset decades of hostility or ignite a broader regional inferno. For now, the skies remain tense, the oil lanes uncertain, and the world watching.