TOPSHOT – A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. (Photograph by AFP through Getty Photographs)
– | Afp | Getty Photographs
The U.S. army has begun “main fight operations” in Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday.
“Our goal is to defend the American folks by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very arduous, horrible folks,” Trump mentioned in a video message on his Fact Social account.
A U.S. official confirmed earlier that American forces attacked Iran by air and sea, the Reuters information company reported.
A number of ministries within the southern a part of the Iranian capital, Tehran, had been focused, Reuters quoted an unidentified Iranian official as saying.
Trump mentioned Iran has continued to pursue nuclear weapons regardless of ongoing negotiations to finish its program.
“in operation midnight hammer final June, we obliterated the regime’s nuclear program at Fordow nets. And Isfahan. After that assault, we warned them by no means to renew their malicious pursuit of nuclear weapons, and we sought repeatedly to make a deal,” Trump mentioned. “However Iran refused.”
“As an alternative, they tried to rebuild their nuclear program and to proceed growing the lengthy vary missiles that may now threaten our excellent pals and allies in Europe, our troops stationed abroad and will quickly attain the American homeland,” he mentioned.
A Pentagon obligation press officer mentioned the division has acquired CNBC’s emailed requests for remark however made no additional clarification.
Earlier, Israel launched a daylight assault Saturday on Iran’s capital, with a cloud of smoke rising from town’s downtown, the Related Press reported.
It wasn’t instantly clear what the goal was. However the assault got here as the US has assembled an unlimited fleet of fighter jets and warships within the area to attempt to stress Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.
Along with the capital Tehran, the cities of Isfahan, Qom, Karaj and Kermanshah had been focused.
Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty Photographs
Israeli Protection Minister Israel Katz described the assault as being carried out “to take away threats.” He didn’t instantly elaborate.
The Israel Protection Forces mentioned it recognized missiles launched from Iran towards Israel.
“Defensive programs are working to intercept the menace. Prior to now couple of minutes, the Residence Entrance Command has despatched a precautionary directive on to cell phones within the related areas,” the IDF mentioned in a tweet.
In Tehran, witnesses heard the blast. Iranian state tv later reported on the explosion, with out providing a trigger.
Sirens sounded throughout Israel on the similar time. The Israeli army mentioned that it had issued a “proactive alert to organize the general public for the potential of missiles being launched towards the state of Israel.”
The U.S. army declined to instantly touch upon the assault.
President Donald Trump warned earlier in February that “actually unhealthy issues” would occur except Tehran agreed to a deal over the way forward for its nuclear program. The assault, which comes after a big construct up of army property within the oil-rich Center East area.
The U.S. and Iran had held a 3rd spherical of talks in Switzerland on Thursday to attempt to resolve a standoff.
Forward of the discussions, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned Iran’s reluctance to speak about its ballistic missile improvement program, alongside its nuclear program, was a “huge, huge downside.” Iran had mentioned it was keen to compromise when it got here to its nuclear program, however had repeatedly mentioned Tehran’s missile program had by no means been a part of the talks’ agenda.
There have been earlier indicators that Washington was shedding its persistence with Iran after the White Home mentioned, after earlier talks, that Iran was not addressing its core calls for.
This mix of images created on April 09, 2025 reveals US Center East envoy Steve Witkoff after a gathering with Russian officers at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 18, 2025 (L); and Iran’s International Minister Abbas Araghchi talking to AFP throughout an interview on the Iranian consulate in Jeddah on March 7, 2025.
Evelyn Hockstein | Amer Hilabi | AFP | Getty Photographs
Earlier in February, Iran reportedly mentioned in a letter to United Nations Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres that Tehran would reply “decisively” if subjected to army aggression.
Vitality market contributors have been carefully monitoring the escalating geopolitical tensions, with oil costs climbing to six-month highs after Trump’s amid considerations of a doable provide shock.
Iran, a founding member of OPEC, is a serious oil producer and sits on the coronary heart of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, via which about 20% of the world’s oil passes.
Final June, the U.S. launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear services, inflicting what intelligence recommended was extreme harm to Tehran’s nuclear program. Iran responded by launching a retaliatory strike on an American air base in Qatar, reportedly inflicting minor harm however inflicting no casualties.
That is breaking information. Please examine again for updates.
