Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.Photo:VCG

The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran Saturday morning, according to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and two US officials, CNN reported. 

Israel declared a state of emergency across the country as the strikes were launched, in anticipation of Iranian retaliation, according to CNN.

Citing three US officials, CNN reported that the US was carrying out strikes on Iran. One official said the strikes are in progress, describing them as "not a small strike," according to the report. 

Earlier on Saturday, Israel launched a "preemptive" strike against Iran on Saturday morning "to remove threats to Israel," the Israeli Defense Ministry said in a statement, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

At 2:41 pm, Xinhua reported that apparent strike in Tehran happened near offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. At 2:55 pm, Xinhua reported, citing media, that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was not in Tehran, and has been moved to secure location.

Shortly after, Iran's Civil Aviation Authority said the country's airspace closed until further notice, Xinhua reported, citing media. Explosions heard in Iran's Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah, and Mobile phone services have been cut in parts of Tehran, according to Xinhua.

At around 3:25 pm, Xinhua reported, citing media, that Tehran prepares for retaliation.

Meanwhile, in Israel, sirens were sounded across the country to warn the public to prepare for the possibility of an Iranian missile attack on Israel. Schools were closed, and public gatherings were banned across Israel, according to Xinhua. 

Global Times