Israel launched a daylight attack on Iran’s capital, Tehran, Saturday, with multiple explosions reported across the city, according to witnesses and state media. The attack, described by Israel’s defense minister as preventative, comes amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and follows a period of escalating rhetoric between the two nations.
Smoke rose over downtown Tehran following the explosions, with initial reports indicating strikes in the Jomhouri area and northern parts of the capital, according to Iran’s Fars News Agency. Iranian state television acknowledged the blasts but provided no immediate details regarding the cause or extent of the damage.
The United States was involved in the Israeli strikes, according to a U.S. Official and a person familiar with the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Sirens sounded across Israel simultaneously with the attacks on Tehran, prompting authorities to advise citizens to work from home, close schools and prohibit public gatherings. Israeli airspace was closed to civilian flights, and its airports authority confirmed the closure. Iranian airspace was as well reported to be closed, with internet access disrupted in parts of Tehran.
The attack follows months of increasing friction between Israel and Iran, and occurs as the U.S. Has amassed a significant military presence in the Middle East. According to reports, the U.S. Military has deployed its largest air force to the region in two decades, with numerous warships and soldiers positioned nearby.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran if it does not agree to a new nuclear accord, and has expressed frustration with the ongoing negotiations. Speaking to reporters Saturday, Trump stated he was “not happy” with the progress of discussions, describing Iranian representatives as “particularly difficult people…they’re very dangerous people.”
Negotiations between the U.S. And Iran, mediated by Oman, were described as positive on Thursday, with plans for further meetings. However, the Israeli attack occurred hours after the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, reportedly advised embassy staff in Jerusalem to leave the country “today” if they wished to do so.
The attack mirrors a similar escalation in June 2025, when Israel initiated strikes in Iran, followed by U.S. Bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities. That conflict resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Iranian civilians.
The current situation remains fluid, with the extent of the damage and potential for further escalation unclear. No statement has been issued by the Iranian government regarding the attacks, and the long-term implications for regional stability remain uncertain.
