US President Donald Trump said Washington had begun “major combat operations” against Iran, hours after Israel announced it had carried out what it described as a “preemptive strike” on February 28.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) responded by launching what it said was its "first wave" of drones and ballistic missiles against Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said interception operations were underway.
In a video statement posted on social media, Trump said his objective was “to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”
"I do not make this statement lightly. The Iranian regime seeks to kill," Trump said in the video.
"The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties that often happens in war, but we're doing this, not for now. We're doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission."
Iranian media reported explosions in several cities, including Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, Qom, Lorestan, and Chabahar.
Video and photo images showed at least one large plume of smoke billowing over the capital.
“The State of Israel launched a preemptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said earlier.
Trump accused Tehran of attempting to rebuild its nuclear program after the United States bombed key facilities during a 12-day war between Iran and Israel last June. He said the United States also aimed to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities and “annihilate” its navy.
“The hour of your freedom is at hand,” Trump added, in an apparent message to the Iranian public.
Trump had previously vowed that “help is on the way” during the deadly January protests against Iran’s clerical establishment, in which thousands were reported killed. Tehran suppressed the unrest and accused the United States and Israel of orchestrating it.
The latest strikes mark a dramatic escalation in Middle East tensions and further diminish hopes for a diplomatic resolution between Tehran and Washington over Iran’s nuclear program.
Explosions were first reported in central Tehran, with images and videos circulating on social media showing thick plumes of smoke rising above the capital.
The Fars news agency, affiliated with the IRGC, said “several missiles” struck Daneshgah (University) and Jomhuri (Republic) streets. Iran’s state broadcaster, IRINN, confirmed what it described as joint “US-Israeli aggression in Tehran,” airing social media footage of smoke billowing from downtown areas.
There were no immediate reports of casualties. Tasnim news agency, which is close to the IRGC, said Iran’s airspace had been closed.
Sirens sounded across Israel following the strike, and the IDF instructed residents to remain near protected areas, describing the alert as a precaution against possible retaliatory missile fire.
