US and Israel launch strikes on Iran: what we know so far | Iran

On Saturday morning, the United States and Israel launched a series of attacks on Iran.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had fired missiles at US military bases in the Gulf.

Explosions were reported in Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE and Qatar. Shrapnel fired from an Iranian missile killed one person in the UAE, officials said.

Explosions shook Iran’s capital, Tehran; People here reported smoke rising from the area that includes the presidential palace.

Iran also launched waves of missiles at Israel, and explosions were reported in the skies over Jerusalem. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its air defense systems were working to hit a “barrage of missiles” launched from Iran.

Israeli officials told the media that senior Iranian regime and military leaders, including Iran’s religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and president Massoud Pezeshkian, were targeted in the attacks.

While it is believed that Khamenei was not in Tehran and was taken to a safe place, Iranian media reported that Pezeshkian was safe.

US President Donald Trump has vowed that the “major and ongoing” campaign against Iran will crush Iran’s military, dismantle its nuclear program and lead to a change in government. “Our goal is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, which is a group of very tough and scary people,” he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was aimed at eliminating an “existential threat”.

Talks between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program broke down on Friday, with a suggestion of more talks next week. Trump stated that he was “not happy” with the progress of the talks.