The United States and Israel launched a sweeping joint military offensive against Iran on Saturday morning, striking multiple targets across Tehran and at least four other Iranian cities in what President Donald Trump described as a campaign to eliminate imminent threats from the Iranian regime.
The strikes mark one of the most significant military escalations in the Middle East in decades and come after weeks of intensifying pressure, a massive US military buildup in the region, and the collapse of last-minute nuclear negotiations.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards responded swiftly, announcing retaliatory missile and drone strikes directed at Israel within hours of the initial assault.
Trump Announces the Operation
Speaking in a video posted to his Truth Social account, President Trump told the American public and the world that a major military campaign was now underway.
"A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime." — President Donald Trump
In a separate address directed at the Iranian people, Trump urged citizens to seize the moment.
"The hour for your freedom is at hand. When we're finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations." — President Donald Trump, via Truth Social
Explosions Rock Tehran and Beyond
Multiple missiles struck University Street and the Jomhouri area in central Tehran, with smoke rising across the city skyline. Explosions were also reported in Tehran's northern Seyyed Khandan area, as well as nationwide — including in the western Ilam province. Al Jazeera
Beyond the capital, the cities of Isfahan, Qom, Karaj and Kermanshah were also struck. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the operation was carried out "to remove threats." CNBC
Cellphone communications were disrupted in several areas of the capital, with an Al Jazeera correspondent on the ground reporting that no calls were possible in the affected areas. Al Jazeera
An Israeli security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the scope of the operation was deliberate and long in the making.
"The operation was planned for months. The launch date was decided weeks ago, even as the US and Iran were carrying out negotiations." — Israeli Security Official, via Reuters
Israeli Defence Minister Katz framed the strikes in defensive terms, with Israeli sources describing the primary military objectives.
"Sources in the defence establishment stated one of the objectives of the strikes will be to remove threats to the Israeli home front, with an emphasis on missile launchers and unmanned aerial vehicle bases." — Israeli Defence Establishment Sources, via The Jerusalem Post
Khamenei Moved to Secure Location
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose offices were near one of the targeted sites in Tehran, was not present in the capital at the time of the strikes and had been transferred to a secure location, according to an official quoted by Reuters. Al Jazeera
Iran Retaliates — Warns of 'Crushing' Response
Tehran did not wait long to respond. Iran's Revolutionary Guards announced the launch of a first large-scale wave of retaliatory missile and drone strikes directed toward Israel. Al Jazeera
Iranian officials made clear the response would be severe.
"Tehran is preparing for retaliation. The response will be crushing." — Iranian Officials, via Reuters
Iranian state television broadcast footage of smoke rising from multiple locations in the capital, though the full extent of casualties and damage had not been officially confirmed at the time of publication.
Israel Declares State of Emergency
A 48-hour state of emergency was declared across Israel as the Israeli Defence Forces warned civilians of incoming missile fire. Air raid sirens sounded across the country, Israel closed its airspace to all passenger flights, and civilians were directed to enter bomb shelters. NPR
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz invoked emergency powers, issuing a formal declaration.
"Under my authority pursuant to Section 9C(b)(1) of the Civil Defense Law, 5711-1951, and after being convinced that there is a high probability of an attack on the civilian population, I hereby declare a special state on the home front throughout the entire territory of the country." — Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz
Airlines Disrupted, Oil Prices Surge
The strikes sent immediate shockwaves through global markets and aviation. German carrier Lufthansa suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman until March 7. Dutch airline KLM cancelled its Amsterdam–Tel Aviv service. CNBC
Oil prices surged to six-month highs amid fears of a significant supply disruption. Iran is a founding member of OPEC and a major oil producer, and sits at the heart of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz — the waterway through which approximately 20% of the world's oil passes. CNBC
How Did We Get Here?
Tensions had been building for weeks. In late January, Trump announced a US military "armada" heading to the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers. The US had laid out three core demands for Iran: a permanent end to all uranium enrichment, strict limits on its ballistic missile programme, and a complete halt to support for regional proxy groups including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis. Wikipedia
Omani-brokered diplomatic talks concluded a third round of negotiations in Geneva on Thursday, but US envoys expressed dissatisfaction with Iran's position. On Friday, February 27, Trump reiterated that military force remained an option if Tehran failed to accept a permanent ban on nuclear weapons. SpecialEurasia
On Saturday morning, those warnings became reality.
This is a developing story. SweetFM Online will update this article as new information becomes available.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters, The Jerusalem Post, Bloomberg, NPR, CNBC, Associated Press
