US, Israel Launch Coordinated Strikes on Iran
News Desk
Washington/Tel Aviv/ Tehran: The United States and Israel have launched coordinated military strikes against Iran, with US President Donald Trump confirming that American forces are engaged in what he described as “major combat operations,” as Tehran warned its response would be “crushing.”
In a video statement shared on social media, Trump said the objective of the operation was to defend the American people by eliminating what he called “imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”
He acknowledged that casualties could occur, saying, “The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost… but we’re doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission.”
A senior Israeli defence official told Reuters that the operation had been planned for months in coordination with Washington, with the launch date decided weeks ago.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz earlier announced that Israel had initiated a “pre-emptive attack” on Iran.
Explosions Reported Across Iran
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation announced the closure of the country’s entire airspace until further notice after multiple explosions were reported in the capital, Tehran, and other cities.
Blasts were also heard in Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah, according to Iranian media reports.
Mobile phone lines were reportedly cut in parts of eastern and western Tehran, with internet connectivity significantly disrupted.
An Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran was preparing for retaliation following the Israeli strikes, warning that the response would be forceful. Another official said Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was not in Tehran at the time of the attacks.
Israel, Iraq Shut Airspace
Israel’s airport authority confirmed that the country’s airspace had been closed to civilian flights on the orders of Transport Minister Miri Regev, citing security developments. Iraq also shut its national airspace after what it described as a pre-emptive Israeli strike against Iran.
The escalation marks one of the most direct confrontations between the longtime adversaries and raises fears of a broader regional conflict.
US Embassies Issue Shelter-in-Place Orders
In the Gulf, US embassies in Doha and Bahrain ordered their personnel to shelter in place and advised American citizens to do the same until further notice.
In separate statements, the embassies urged US nationals to “find a secure location within your residence or another safe building” as a precautionary measure.
The Pentagon has not issued an immediate detailed statement, but multiple US media outlets, citing American officials, reported that US strikes were underway as part of a joint operation with Israel.
The rapidly unfolding situation continues to develop, with heightened security measures, regional airspace closures, and warnings of further escalation signaling a volatile and uncertain phase in Middle East tensions.
