Saturday February 28, 2026
Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran on Saturday 28 February (AP)
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The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes inside Iran early Saturday, with multiple explosions reported across Tehran as regional tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and proxy forces escalated sharply.
Iran’s Fars News Agency said missiles struck areas along University Street and in the Jomhouri district of the capital after Israel announced it had carried out a missile attack. The Associated Press reported at least one strike occurred near offices associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tasnim, a semi-official Iranian outlet, reported additional blasts in the northern Seyyed Khandan area of Tehran.
A U.S. official said the operation was conducted jointly with Israel. Washington has recently surged military assets, including fighter jets and warships, into the region amid rising frictions with Tehran.
Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, described the operation as a preemptive strike intended to remove threats to the state. The Israel Defense Forces said it had issued a proactive alert to the public warning of potential retaliatory missile fire toward Israeli territory.
As a precaution, Israel’s Airports Authority closed the country’s airspace to all civilian flights and urged the public not to travel to airports until further notice.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from the strikes in Tehran. The claims could not be independently verified, and Iranian authorities had not publicly detailed the scope of damage or attributed responsibility beyond state and semi-official media reports. Air defense activity and additional explosions were reported by local outlets as the morning unfolded.
The action marks a significant escalation in a long-running shadow conflict that has played out through cyberattacks, sabotage operations and strikes exchanged by Iranian-backed groups and Israel across the region. It comes amid heightened concerns that miscalculation could widen hostilities, drawing in U.S. forces and triggering attacks by Iran’s network of allied militias.
Analysts have warned that strikes in Tehran—especially near sensitive political or security sites—carry high risk for rapid retaliation. Iran has previously signaled it would respond directly to attacks on its territory, while Israel has maintained it will strike preemptively to deter threats from Iran and its proxies.
Oil markets and global shipping lanes could feel immediate effects if Iran or its partners target energy infrastructure or transit routes, though there were no confirmed disruptions early Saturday. Diplomats in the region have urged restraint, and governments are monitoring for indications of Iranian ballistic missile launches or drone operations.
Key developments so far:
- Explosions reported in multiple Tehran districts, including University Street, Jomhouri and Seyyed Khandan, according to Iranian media.
- A U.S. official says the strikes were conducted jointly with Israel.
- Israel calls the attack preemptive and issues a nationwide alert about possible retaliatory fire.
- Israel closes its airspace to civilian traffic until further notice.
- No confirmed casualty figures; extent of damage remains unclear.
With the situation fluid, officials in Washington, Jerusalem and Tehran are expected to provide additional details in the coming hours. Airlines and regional militaries were on high alert as security agencies assessed the likelihood and timing of any Iranian response.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
