Tehran/Washington, 28 February 2026 (dpa/MIA) - The US and Israel struck targets across Iran on Saturday, including on the capital Tehran, prompting a wave of missile launched by Iranian forces towards Israel, as the tensions between the countries exploded into open conflict.

Explosions were heard not only near Tehran but also in the cities of Qom, Lorestan, Kermanshah, Karaj and Tabriz.

Iranian state media also reported explosions on the outskirts of Isfahan. An important nuclear site is situated south-east of the city which was bombed by the United States last year during a 12-day war between Israel and Iran.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the attacks on Saturday morning as a pre-emptive strike, while US President Donald Trump said the country's military had launched "major combat operations" to eliminate "threats by the Iranian regime."

The Iranian armed forces subsequently fired a wave of missiles at Israel. The Revolutionary Guards described it as a "response to the aggression of the hostile and criminal enemy," according to a statement carried on the state news agency IRNA.

Iran also reported that it had targeted a US site in Bahrain, with the state broadcaster saying a logistics center for the US military was attacked.

Dire warning

The head of Iran's security commission, Ebrahim Azizi, issued a strong warning after the Israeli and US attacks began.

"We had warned you. Now you have started down a path whose end is no longer in your hands," he said.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was said to be alive, according to IRNA.

According to witness reports from Tehran, the residence of religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among targets hit. However, he himself is believed to have fled to safety.

Emergency response

Israeli airspace was closed until further notice in anticipation of Iranian retaliatory strikes.

Authorities sent out mobile phone alerts to residents amid a risk of attacks. "Upon receiving an alert, the public is instructed to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice," the military posted on X.

The Iranian Health Ministry implemented immediate emergency measures across the medical system, ordering all hospitals to maintain 24-hour operations to ensure continuous care, according to IRNA.

Trump and Netanyahu tell Iranians to seize 'last chance'

Trump told Iranians that they will soon be free to take over their government, in an eight-minute address.

He warned the Iranian security apparatus to surrender or "face certain death," in a video posted on his Truth Social platform at around 02:30 am Washington time (0730 GMT).

"To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or in the alternative, face certain death," Trump said.

"To the great proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don't leave your home. It's very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere.

"When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will probably be your only chance for generations," he added.

Trump said the aim of the operation was to defend Americans against "imminent theats" from the Iranian regime, and to ensure the country never acquires a nuclear weapon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message posted on X: "This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity."

"Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands," Netanyahu said.

Nuclear program tensions

The conflict comes after the US massively increased its military build-up in the region in order to pressure Tehran to scale down its nuclear program.

Trump had repeatedly threatened military action if a negotiated solution wasn't found.

The latest round of indirect talks in Geneva between Iranian and US representatives ended on Thursday without a breakthrough.

On Friday, Trump said that he was "not exactly happy" with the talks held so far, having previously set a deadline for Iran to agree to a deal by around early March.

Photo: epa