Israel launched a pre-emptive strike on Iran, triggering explosions in Tehran and a nationwide emergency in Israel as fears of retaliation grow.
Israel immediately declared a nationwide state of emergency, activating civil defence measures as security forces across the country prepared for possible retaliation. (Photo: AP)
In the early hours of Saturday, February 28, 2026, dramatic visuals and eyewitness reports showed thick smoke rising across parts of central Tehran after Israel carried out a **large-scale military attack on Iran, marking one of the most serious escalations in recent years. Cities across the region remain tense as global attention focuses on this sudden outbreak of violence.
Videos and photos circulating on social media early Saturday showed columns of smoke over Tehran’s skyline, especially around Jomhouri and University Street areas, shortly after reports of explosions in multiple districts. Iranian state and local media confirmed that several blasts were heard in the heart of the capital and its surroundings.
#BREAKING #Tehran pic.twitter.com/QJGF0Ysr0M
— Tehran Times (@TehranTimes79) February 28, 2026
Witnesses described seeing large clouds of smoke rising above buildings, with residents rushing to seek safety after hearing the blasts. Tehran’s civil aviation authorities also temporarily closed the city’s airspace amid the strike.
Within minutes of the explosions, **Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed that Israel had launched what it described as a “pre-emptive attack” on Iran. In a statement, Katz said the military action was necessary “to remove threats to the State of Israel.”
This declaration came as air raid sirens blared across various Israeli cities, with the military issuing alerts to “prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel.”
Israel immediately declared a nationwide state of emergency, activating civil defence measures as security forces across the country prepared for possible retaliation. Officials warned residents to stay close to protective shelters and remain vigilant.
Iranian authorities acknowledged the explosions but have not yet provided full details on casualties or damage. The country’s state media reported the blasts without confirming the exact targets or scope. Tensions in the region have already been high over disagreements about Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Global leaders and diplomats have expressed deep concern as fears rise that this confrontation could widen into a broader regional conflict. With both Tehran and Jerusalem on high alert, the situation remains volatile with potential for further escalation.
