The attack comes as the United States has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region

06:44, Sat, Feb 28, 2026 Updated: 08:23, Sat, Feb 28, 2026

Israeli airstrikes over Tehran

Smoke blankets the sky above Tehran, Iran, following explosions in the capital in June (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

The US and Israel launched a daylight attack Saturday across Iran, with a cloud of smoke rising from Tehran's downtown. It wasn't immediately clear what the target was. The attack comes as the United States has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.

Sharing a statement on Truth Social, the US President Donald Trump said: "The United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people. It's menacing activities directly in danger, the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world. For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted death to America, and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops, and the innocent people in many, many countries."

The latest news from around the world Invalid email

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done “to remove threats.” He did not immediately elaborate. In Tehran, witnesses heard the blast. Iranian state television later reported on the explosion, without offering a cause. Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time. The Israeli military said that it had issued a “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel.”

In a statement, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the operation was aimed at neutralising threats posed by Iran. “The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel,” he said.

The Israeli airport authority confirmed that the government has suspended civilian flights to and from the country in the wake of the attack on Iran.

US officials said they expect this attack to be far more extensive than the American strikes last June against Iranian nuclear facilities.

An Iranian official told Reuters that its retaliation will be "crushing."

The IDF confirmed the attack in a statement. It said: "A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat.In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas.

"The public is asked to act responsibly and follow the instructions - they save lives. Upon receiving an alert, the public is instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice. Leaving a protected space is permitted only after receiving explicit instructions.

"The public is requested to continue acting in accordance with the Home Front Command’s guidelines."