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US, Israel launch joint attacks on Iran, strike buildings in heart of Tehran
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched retaliatory strikes targeting Israel and US military bases
The US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran on Saturday, striking government buildings in the heart of Tehran, with President Donald Trump saying the US military had begun “major combat operations” aimed at decimating the Iranian nuclear and missile programmes and calling on the Iranian people to rise against their government.
Reports from Iran said explosions were heard in Tehran and several other locations across the country. State-run media reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was “safe and sound” as reports said the attacks targeted buildings in the Tehran neighbourhood where the presidential palace and National Security Council are located. State-run IRNA news agency reported an Israeli strike hit an elementary girls’ school in Minab city, killing five students.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched retaliatory strikes soon after, targeting Israel and US military bases across the Persian Gulf. Multiple waves of ballistic missiles were fired at Israel, and air alert sirens went off as the Israeli military attempted to intercept the missiles.
There were reports of Iranian attacks on several US military facilities in West Asian countries, with state-run Iranian media reporting that the strikes targeted the US Navy’s 5th Fleet’s base in Bahrain, King Hussein airbase in Jordan, Al-Salmiya base in Kuwait, Al-Udeid airbase in Qatar, and Al-Zafra airbase in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Trump said in an eight-minute video posted on social media that the US “major combat operations in Iran” were meant to eliminate “imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people”. He pledged that Iran’s “terrorist regime” could never have a nuclear weapon.
“I’ll say it again – they can never have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. He reiterated the US administration’s claim of obliterating Iran’s nuclear programme last June and alleged Tehran was trying to rebuild its atomic programme and develop long-range missiles that already threaten “friends and allies in Europe” and could soon reach the American homeland.
The Indian embassy in Israel urged Indian nationals to “exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times” because of the security situation in the region. “Indian nationals are strongly advised to strictly adhere to the safety guidelines and instructions issued by the Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command,” it said in an advisory.
The Indian mission in Tehran had recently reiterated its advice for all Indians in Iran to leave the country. On Saturday, the embassy said in a fresh advisory that citizens should “exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors”.
There are more than 40,000 Indians in Israel, while the number of Indians in Iran is about 10,000.
Similar advisories were issued by the Indian missions in Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, which urged Indians to “take due care”, monitor emergency alerts from local authorities, and stay away from the vicinity of military sites.
While explaining the rationale for the US strikes, Trump said his administration repeatedly sought to make a deal with Iran, which he alleged rejected “every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions”. The US military operation is aimed at preventing this “wicked radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests”, and will obliterate Iran’s missile industry, annihilate the navy, and ensure that “terrorist proxies can no longer destabilise the region or world”.
“This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the US armed forces,” he said, while calling on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, armed forces, and police to lay down weapons to “have complete immunity” or to face “certain death”.
Trump urged the Iranian people to rise against the government after the US military operation ends. “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take; this will be probably your only chance for generations,” he said.
“Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action, do not let it pass.”
However, foreign minister Badr Albusaidi of Oman, who was involved in last-minute efforts to broker a deal, said on social media early on Saturday that “a peace agreement between the US and Iran is now within reach”. He added, “No nuclear weapons. Not ever. Zero stockpiling. Comprehensive verification. Peacefully and permanently. Let’s support the negotiators in closing the deal.”
The Indian embassy in Israel, in its advisory, said all Indian nationals “should remain in close proximity to designated shelters and familiarise themselves with the nearest protected spaces”. They should also avoid all non-essential and unnecessary travel within Israel, and monitor local news, official announcements, and emergency alerts.
“The embassy remains closely engaged with the relevant authorities and will continue to issue updates as necessary,” the advisory said.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on social media that it had launched “extensive missile and drone strikes…toward the occupied territories”. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the attacks by Israel and the US “took place once again during the course of negotiations”, reflecting the mistaken belief that Tehran would surrender to their demands.
The Supreme National Security Council called on people in Tehran and other cities under attack to “travel to other areas or cities accessible to them to remain safe”, and said the government had made “prior arrangements to ensure the provision of all essential needs”. It said schools and universities will remain closed, while banks will continue to provide services, and government offices will operate at 50% capacity.
