Israel said it launched a “pre-emptive” military strike on Iran on Saturday. The United States also carried out attacks. Iran responded quickly. Civilians went to shelters in Israel, and Gulf states that host US forces raised alarms.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement: “The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel.”
An Israeli defence official said the operation had been planned for months and coordinated with Washington. Explosions were reported in Tehran. Israel also moved to close schools, workplaces and its airspace.
US President Donald Trump said the US had begun “major combat operations in Iran”. He urged Iranians to “take over your government” in a video posted on social media.
Australians in Israel and Lebanon urged to leave as security fears grow in the Middle East.
Reuters reported the Pentagon named the campaign “Operation Epic Fury”. Reuters said strikes hit sites linked to Iran’s defence systems and senior leadership meetings.
There were conflicting reports about casualties and senior figures. Iranian state media also reported a strike on a school in the southern town of Minab, but Reuters said it could not independently verify the details.
Iran hit back with missile and drone attacks aimed at Israel and at US facilities in the region. Reuters reported Qatar said it intercepted missiles. Kuwait confirmed an attack on a US base.
Bahrain said a service centre linked to the US Fifth Fleet was struck. Several countries also imposed airspace restrictions.
The escalation also hit global trade routes. Tanker owners and trading houses paused some oil and gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned vessels not to transit.
Industry and naval sources urged caution. They also questioned the legal basis of the warning.
Diplomatic efforts moved into emergency mode. The UN Security Council is due to meet on Saturday at 4pm in New York (2100 GMT). Russia and China were among those seeking the session.
UN Secretary General António Guterres called for “an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation”, warning the conflict risked widening quickly.
