LIVE | Iran hit by joint Israel-US airstrikes; Trump says US has begun 'major combat operations'

An apparent initial strike was reported near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It was not clear whether the 86-year-old was at his offices at the time.

Summary

Israel and the United States launched a joint daylight attack across Iran, including its capital, Tehran, on Saturday, as US President Donald Trump confirmed that American forces had begun “major combat operations” against the Islamic Republic.

Trump also offered the Iranian military a choice between “immunity” or “certain death”, further urging Iranian people to “take over your government — it will be yours to take.”

The attack comes as Washington has deployed a large number of fighter jets and warships to the region, in what officials have described as an effort to pressure Iran over its nuclear programme.

An apparent initial strike was reported near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It was not clear whether the 86-year-old Ayatollah Khamenei was at his offices at the time. He has not been seen in public for several days amid escalating tensions with the US.

Israel’s defence ministry said it had carried out a “pre-emptive strike” against Iran. Air-raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem, and residents across the country received phone alerts warning of an “extremely serious” threat.

Iran's President Pezeshkian 'safe and sound': state media

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is "safe and sound", state media reported, following US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic.

"President Masoud Pezeshkian is safe and sound and has no problems," the IRNA news agency reported, alongside the Mehr and ISNA agencies.

‘Immunity’ or ‘certain death’: Trump warns Iranian military, asks citizens to ‘take over’ government

US President Donald Trump said the United States would destroy Iran’s missile industry and “annihilate” its navy, while offering the Iranian military a choice between “immunity” or “certain death.”

He also addressed the Iranian people directly, saying, “Hour of your freedom is at hand,” and urging them to “take over your government — it will be yours to take.”

US embassies in Qatar, Bahrain issue shelter-in-place orders for personnel

The US embassies in Qatar and Bahrain told their staff to seek shelter Saturday and advised US citizens to do the same after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran.

The embassies said in two separate statements they were "implementing a shelter-in-place for all personnel. We recommend all Americans do the same until further notice," and urged US citizens to "find a secure location within your residence or another safe building."

Trump says US in 'major combat' to destroy Iran's missiles and navy

US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that his county's military has begun "major combat operations in Iran" after Israel launched strikes.

"The United States' military began major combat operations in Iran," Trump said in a video message posted on his social media site while he spent the weekend at his Florida golf club.

"Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime."

"We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally -- again -- obliterated. We're going to annihilate their navy," Trump said.

US carrying out strikes against Iran: media

The United States has started carrying out strikes on Iran, US media reported Saturday, after Israel said it had attacked its long-standing regional adversary.

Multiple US media outlets, citing American officials, reported that Washington had begun strikes on Iran in a joint operation with Israel, which said it had also carried out strikes and closed its airspace.

Iraq closes its airspace after Israel strikes Iran

Iraq closed its airspace on Saturday, state media said, after Israel said it carried out strikes against Iran. "The ministry of transport announces closing Iraqi airspace," the Iraq News Agency INA reported.

Israel hits Iran nationwide, targeting ‘regime’ and ‘military’ sites

Iranian media reported that attacks were taking place nationwide as Israel launched airstrikes targeting the country. Blasts were heard in Isfahan and other cities, according to local reports.

Israel’s public broadcaster said the strikes were aimed at regime and military sites in Iran.

Iran closes airspace until further notice; mobile phone services cut

Iran on Saturday closed its airspace until further notice, following multiple blasts in the capital Tehran and elsewhere, the civil aviation agency said.

"The airspace of the entire country is cosed until further notice," announced the spokesman of Iran's Civil Aviation Organisation, quoted by Tasnim news agency.

Mobile phone services have also been cut across the Islamic Republic following the Israeli airstrikes.

Israel closes its airspace to civilian flights

Israel closed its airspace to civilian flights Saturday after announcing it had carried out "preventive strikes" on Iran and sounding sirens in Jerusalem.

"Following the security developments, the Minister of Transportation has ordered the Director of the Israel Civil Aviation Authority to close the airspace of the State of Israel to civilian flights," the minister, Miri Regev, announced.

Loud blasts and columns of smoke in Tehran

Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on Saturday morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.

"The type of explosions suggests that this is a missile attack," the Fars news agency reported, without immediately providing further details.

Israel announces 'preventive strike' on Iran

Israel's defence ministry announced a "preemptive strike" against Iran on Saturday as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat.

"The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran. Defence Minister Israel Katz has declared a special and immediate state of emergency throughout the country," read a statement from his ministry.