The United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran on Saturday, with one of the first attacks reported near the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran. Explosions were heard in the capital, and Iranian media said strikes were taking place across the country.
U.S. President Donald Trump said in a social media video that the U.S. had started “major combat operations in Iran.” He accused Iran of continuing to develop its nuclear program and warned that American casualties were possible. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks were meant to remove what he called an “existential threat” from Iran.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it responded by launching drones and missiles at Israel. Israel said its air defence systems were activated, though explosions were reported in the north. A missile was also reported near the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.
The strikes come as the U.S. has sent many fighter jets and warships to the region to pressure Iran over its nuclear program.
