ISTANBUL

Explosions were heard in Tehran on Saturday, with thick smoke seen rising over parts of the city, as the Israeli defense minister said Israel launched a "preemptive" strike against Iran.

Explosions rocked Tehran as Israel’s defense minister said a 'preemptive' strike was launched against Iran, with sirens sounding across Israel and a nationwide state of emergency declared

Channel 12 reports the US and Israel acted jointly, despite ongoing nuclear diplomacy, days… pic.twitter.com/Z2NBu5g2iN

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) February 28, 2026

Sirens also sounded across Israel, which declared a “special and immediate” state of emergency across the country that includes a prohibition on educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, except for essential sectors.

Israel's Channel 12 said the US and Israel launched the attack jointly.

Israel and the US have carried out joint strikes on Iran, with explosions reported in Tehran amid heavy air activity and sirens sounding across Israel pic.twitter.com/rmIrBRFq4I

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) February 28, 2026

The strikes come amid diplomatic efforts between US and Iranian officials for a deal on Iran’s nuclear program.

Badr Albusaidi, Oman's foreign minister, who mediated the talks, met US Vice President JD Vance on Friday. “I am grateful for their engagement and look forward to further and decisive progress in the coming days. Peace is within our reach,” he wrote on US social media company X after the meeting.

Israeli strikes kill, wound Revolutionary Guard personnel as Iran vows response

Initial Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday killed and wounded numerous Revolutionary Guard personnel, including key operational staff, ISNA news agency reported, citing a source.

Further explosions followed the strikes in the cities of Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Lorestan, the Mehr news agency said, indicating the attacks extended beyond the capital.

Senior Iranian officials were also targeted in the Israeli attack on Tehran, according to Israeli media reports.

Israeli Channel 12 said Israel is preparing in the initial phase for four days of intense joint attacks on Iran, citing a security official.

In response, Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliament National Security Committee, said in a post on US social media company X: “We warned you! Now you have started down a path which end is no longer in your control.”