US, Israel attack Iran, launching what American officials described as a major military operation against targets across the country, including sites in Tehran.
The first apparent strike occurred near offices associated with Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Iranian state media, which reported attacks nationwide. Smoke was seen rising from parts of the capital, and state television aired footage of damaged buildings and rescue crews searching through rubble.
President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the United States had begun “major combat operations in Iran.” He said Tehran had continued developing its nuclear program and was pursuing missiles capable of reaching the United States.
The Pentagon said the campaign had been formally designated “Operation Epic Fury,” framing it as a large-scale US military action. Israel called its parallel campaign “Operation Lion’s Roar.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint operation was intended to remove what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran. He said Israeli forces were striking sites tied to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, the Basij force and ballistic missile infrastructure.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it had launched a “first wave” of drones and missiles targeting Israel, signaling further retaliation. Iranian state media did not immediately provide casualty figures.
US embassies in Qatar, Israel and Bahrain instructed personnel to shelter in place and advised American citizens to do the same. Qatar hosts Al Udeid Air Base, the forward headquarters of US Central Command and home to thousands of American service members.
The escalation follows months of rising tensions. In the lead-up to the strikes, Mr. Trump deployed what officials described as the largest US military presence in the Middle East in decades, including multiple aircraft carriers, destroyers and additional aircraft. More than 10,000 additional troops were sent to the region, along with hundreds of fighter jets and support aircraft.
Iran has said it no longer enriches uranium but has restricted access to some nuclear sites previously struck by the United States. Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press have shown renewed activity at two of those locations, suggesting Iran may be assessing damage or attempting recovery operations.
In Yemen, two senior officials from the Iranian-backed Houthi movement said the group had decided to resume missile and drone attacks on shipping routes and on Israel in support of Iran. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because there had been no formal announcement.
The scope of the damage inside Iran and the full extent of casualties on either side were not immediately clear.
