Israel and the United States carried out a coordinated air strike on Iran, marking an escalation of the Middle East crisis. Israel's Defence Minister called the attack a "pre-emptive strike", while US President Donald Trump officially confirmed that the US had launched "massive and sustained" military operations against the Iranian regime.

Explosions were recorded in Tehran and several other Iranian cities. The Iranian state agency confirmed that the country was closing its airspace for six hours. Dense smoke rose over parts of the Iranian capital, and it was reported that among the targets were areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was moved to a safe location.

The operation had been planned for months in coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv, and came after attempts to reach a deal on the nuclear file failed. Israel had demanded Iran fully dismantle its nuclear infrastructure and restrict its ballistic missiles, but Tehran refused to link these issues.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard quickly retaliated, announcing the launch of a "first wave" of drones and ballistic missiles toward Israel. Sirens wailed across all of Israel, schools were closed, and air defence systems actively intercepted Iranian projectiles.

Iraq also closed its airspace, and airlines began mass-cancelling flights to Israel and Middle Eastern countries. Iran's Defence Minister was killed, and the Iranian President was reported to be in a safe location.

The world is watching the events with alarm – analysts warn that this may represent the most dangerous phase of the conflict with the potential for wider regional escalation.