The United States and Israel launched a large-scale military offensive against Iran early Saturday, with powerful explosions reported across Tehran and fears mounting of a wider regional war. Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz described the operation as a “preemptive” strike. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the start of “large-scale combat operations” to dismantle Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities.
The US-Israeli strikes began early Saturday, with powerful explosions echoing across Tehran and plumes of smoke rising near the presidential compound. An Israeli security source stated that operations would continue “as long as necessary” to prevent Iran from restoring its military capabilities, focusing on military facilities including ballistic missile factories, according to Israel’s Kan broadcaster.
Iran responded swiftly through its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which targeted the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, American bases in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and Israeli military and security sites in an operation named “True Promise 4” using missiles and drones. The Guards claimed to have destroyed a US FP-132 radar system in Qatar, while the Iranian army launched large numbers of drones toward targets in Israel and “Zionist interests,” vowing to continue until “the enemies are fully punished.”
Bahrain reported evacuating the Juffair district in Manama after missiles were launched there, while Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait intercepted multiple incoming missiles. Debris fell on a residential area in Abu Dhabi, causing material damage and killing one Asian national. Iranian state television reported that Israeli strikes hit a girls’ primary school in Minab in Hormozgan province, killing 51 students and injuring 60 others, though Reuters was unable to independently verify the figures.
In Israel, air raid sirens sounded in Haifa, the Upper Galilee, and central and northern regions. In Iraq, the Iran-aligned Kataib Hezbollah group warned of targeting US bases, with at least two fighters killed in an air strike on the Jurf al-Sakhar base south of Baghdad. Strikes also hit the headquarters of Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces, killing one and wounding three. Yemen’s Houthi movement said it would resume attacks on Red Sea shipping.
Diplomatically, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held calls with counterparts in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq, describing the US-Israeli strikes as a violation of the UN Charter and a “clear crime” against international peace, while asserting Iran’s right to self-defense. Oman called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting to impose a ceasefire. Egypt expressed “deep concern” over the escalation and condemned Iran’s targeting of Arab states including Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. The UK confirmed it did not participate, and Germany initiated consultations with regional partners.