Israel and the United States have launched a “pre-emptive attack” against Iran, pushing the Middle East into a renewed military confrontation and further dimming hopes for a diplomatic solution to Tehran’s long-running dispute with the West.

What we know so far:

• US strikes on Iran reportedly underway, according to a US official
• Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei moved to a secure location for safety
• Iran, Israel, Iraq shut airspace
• FO issues travel advisory for Pakistanis in Iran

US President Donald Trump confirmed, “Short time ago, US began major combat operations in Iran.”

He added, “Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”

“The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said.

Katz has “declared a special and immediate state of emergency throughout the country”, read a statement from his ministry.

A US official told Reuters that US strikes were being carried out by air and sea. Another US official told Reuters that the US military was expected to carry out a “multi-day operation” against Iran.

An Israeli defence official told Reuters that the operation was being carried out in coordination with the US.

The attack, coming after Israel and Iran engaged in a 12-day air war in June, follows repeated US-Israeli warnings that they would strike again if Iran pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

An Israeli defence official said the operation had been planned for months in coordination with Washington, and that the launch date was decided weeks ago.

Iranian state television confirmed what it described as an “aerial aggression by the Zionist regime” on the country, following a series of blasts in Tehran.

The Fars news agency said “seven missile impacts were reported in the Keshvardoost and Pasteur districts” of Tehran, where the residence of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is located.

However, an official confirmed to Reuters that Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a secure location.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was also “safe and sound”, state media reported.

“President Masoud Pezeshkian is safe and sound and has no problems,” the IRNA news agency reported, alongside the Mehr and ISNA agencies.

Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.

Western powers have long accused Iran of secretly seeking nuclear weapons — something it has repeatedly denied, insisting its nuclear programme is solely for civilian purposes such as energy production.

The US embassies in Qatar and Bahrain told their staff to seek shelter and advised US citizens to do the same.

The embassies said in two separate statements they were “implementing a shelter-in-place for all personnel. We recommend all Americans do the same until further notice,” and urged US citizens to “find a secure location within your residence or another safe building”.

Israel’s main opposition leader, Yair Lapid, vowed to “stand together” with the ruling government and the military after Israel launched strikes on Iran.

“In moments like these we stand together — and we win together. There is no coalition and no opposition, only one people and one IDF, with all of us behind them,” Lapid posted on X.

Countries shut airspaces

Following the attack, Israel closed its airspace to civilian flights, their defence ministry said.

Iran has also closed its airspace following multiple explosions, Civil Aviation Organisation spokesperson Majid Akhavan told state media IRNA.

Akhavan said that the airspace will be closed for six hours.

Iraq’s transport ministry said it closed the national airspace after Israel attacked Iran, Reuters quoted the state news agency as saying.

Kuwait’s aviation authority also suspended all flights to Iran until further notice, Reuters quoted the state news agency as saying.

The Russian Ministry of Transport said Russian air carriers had suspended flights to Iran and Israel.

The ministry said that in connection with the closure of Iranian and Israeli airspace, Russian air carriers had worked out alternative flight routes in advance to ensure safe flights to the Persian Gulf countries.

Flight times will increase due to the longer distances, it said.

Pakistan issues travel advisory

In the wake of the attack, the Foreign Office (FO) issued a travel advisory for Pakistani nationals in Iran, urging them to “avoid all non-mandatory travel” to the country for their safety and security.

FO stated, “Pakistani nationals currently residing in Iran must exercise caution, remain vigilant, minimise non-essential travel, and stay in regular contact with the Pakistani Missions.”

The contact details are provided below:

Embassy of Pakistan in Iran

Tehran

+98-21-66-9413-88/89/90/91 (landline)

+98-21-66-9448-88/90 (landline)

+98 990 6824496 (mobile)

Zahidan:

+98 54 33 22 3389 (landline)

+98 90 46 145412 (mobile)

Mashhad:

+98 910 762 5302 (mobile)

+98 937 180 7175 (mobile)

+98 902 709 3994 (mobile)

Israel also targets Lebanon

Separately, Israel’s military said it was carrying out strikes on alleged Hezbollah infrastructure in south Lebanon on Saturday.

“In response to Hezbollah’s repeated violations of the ceasefire understandings, the IDF is striking Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in southern Lebanon,” the Israeli army alleged on Telegram, using its official acronym.

Israel and Hezbollah agreed on a ceasefire in November 2024 after a year of conflict, but Israel has continued regular strikes, claiming it is enforcing ceasefire provisions against the group rearming.

Hezbollah and the Lebanese government have protested the strikes as ceasefire violations.

Renewed talks

The US and Iran renewed negotiations in February in a bid to resolve the decades-long dispute through diplomacy and avert the threat of a military confrontation that could destabilise the region.

Israel, however, insisted that any US deal with Iran must include the dismantling of Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure, not just stopping the enrichment process, and lobbied Washington to include restrictions on Iran’s missile programme in the talks.

Iran said it was prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for lifting sanctions, but ruled out linking the issue to missiles.

Tehran also said it would defend itself against any attack.

It warned neighbouring countries hosting US troops that it would retaliate against American bases if Washington struck Iran.

In June, the US joined an Israeli military campaign against Iranian nuclear installations, in the most direct American military action ever against the Islamic Republic.

Tehran retaliated by launching missiles toward the US Al Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest in the Middle East.

This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources, such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.