Tehran, Feb 28 — The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on Saturday, targeting sites near the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in downtown Tehran and other locations beyond the capital.
A large plume of smoke was seen rising from the area. It was not immediately clear whether the 86-year-old cleric was present at the time.
Iranian state television confirmed the explosion.
Witnesses reported hearing a powerful blast that shook buildings across parts of the city. Authorities did not release any immediate information on casualties.
Israeli sirens sounded across several cities as the strike unfolded. The Israeli military said it had issued a “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel.”
Sources indicated that the United States was participating in the operation, which comes as Washington has deployed a significant fleet of fighter jets and warships to the region in an effort to pressure Tehran over its nuclear programme.
Iran has rejected demands for zero uranium enrichment, calling its missile programme a “red line” and insisting it will not negotiate under threat.
More explosions were reported in Tehran hours after Israel confirmed it was targeting Iranian sites. With airspace closed and no casualty figures released, the full extent of the damage remained unclear on Saturday.