Israel attacks Iran: Explosions rock Tehran after IDF strike as Middle East conflict reignites

Israeli strike on Tehran

Smoke has been spotted rising from Tehran

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REUTERS

Dan McDonald

By Dan McDonald


Published: 28/02/2026

- 06:46

Updated: 28/02/2026

- 07:44

A 'special and permanent state of emergency' has been declared across Israel

Israel has launched what it has described as a "pre-emptive attack" on Iran as explosions rock its capital Tehran.

A "special and permanent state of emergency" has been declared across Israel, Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed in a statement on Saturday morning.


According to local media reports, three explosions have been heard across Tehran.

The strike was carried out in coordination with the US, an Israeli source went on to tell Reuters.

According to the same official, the attack has been planned for a number of months, with the strike date decided weeks ago.

Israel's Transportation Ministry confirmed the country's airspace has been closed In the aftermath of the attack.

According to Islamic Republic state-affiliated Fars news agency, explosions have been heard in the eastern and northern areas of the capital.

Explosions were also heard in the Iranian cities of Isfahan, Qom, Karaj and Kermanshah.

Israeli strike on Tehran

Explosions have been heard in the eastern and northern areas of the capital

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GETTY

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was evacuated from Tehran and taken to a secure location, an Iranian official then told Reuters.

News of Israeli strikes came at around 6am UK time - but just minutes later, it emerged that US strikes against Iran were also underway, according to the New York Times, citing American officials.

Another official has told CNN the strikes being carried out are “not small".

As strikes rain down across the Iranian capital, there are long queues at petrol stations across Tehran as residents begin to flee the city, witnesses have told Reuters.

Israeli strikes on Tehran

US strikes against Iran are also now underway

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GETTY

The strikes came after Donald Trump grew frustrated with talks with Tehran over its nuclear programme.

The President had given Iran a 10 to 15-day deadline to reach what he described as a “meaningful deal” or face potential US military strikes.

Just over a week ago, he warned that “really bad things” would happen if Tehran failed to comply.

In recent weeks, Washington has assembled its largest military presence in the Middle East since the Iraq War.

Israeli strikes in Iran

One official has told CNN the strikes being carried out are 'not small'

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GETTY

The deployment includes the world’s largest aircraft carrier and dozens of advanced F-22 Raptor fighter jets.

Speculation had been mounting that strikes were imminent after the jets were stationed in Israel.

During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Mr Trump described Iran as the “world's number one sponsor of terror” and vowed it would never obtain nuclear weapons.

An Islamic Republic official has told Reuters it is preparing for retaliation, warning Tehran's response will be crushing.

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