Explosions were reported across Tehran on Saturday after the united states and Israel carried out coordinated military strikes on Iran.
Reports from Iranian media indicated that several missiles struck areas including University Street, Jomhouri district and the northern Seyyed Khandan neighbourhood of Tehran, with smoke seen rising from different parts of the city.
Attacks were also reported in other regions, including Ilam province.
Donald Trump, the United States President said the operation was intended to neutralise threats posed by Iran.
According to him, “short time ago, US military began major combat operation in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”
Israel Katz, Israel’s defence minister also said the strikes were launched to protect Israel’s security interests.
According to him, the attack was carried out to “remove threats to the State of Israel”.
Officials quoted in international media said the operation involved joint air and sea strikes by United States and Israeli forces, following months of military planning amid tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Some targets were reported to be located near offices linked to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was said to have been moved to a secure location outside Tehran.
Communications disruptions were reported in parts of the Iranian capital, with some residents unable to make phone calls.
Iranian officials warned of a possible response, with one official saying Tehran was preparing retaliation that could be “crushing”.
Meanwhile, air-raid sirens sounded across Israel as authorities declared a state of emergency amid fears of counterattacks. Israeli authorities also closed the country’s airspace to civilian flights.
The United States embassy in Qatar directed its personnel to shelter in place, while Iraq announced the closure of its national airspace as tensions escalated across the region.