Escalating Conflict: Iran Under Attack as Tensions Rise

Explosions Rock Iran's Capital

Reports of explosions began to surface shortly after 9:27 AM local time in Tehran, with the semi-official Fars News Agency being among the first to announce the alarming news: Tehran was under siege. The attacks, executed by the United States and Israel, quickly extended beyond the capital, with multiple cities across Iran reporting explosions throughout the morning. In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a series of missiles and drones targeting Israel and various US military installations in the Middle East. The IRGC declared, "This operation will persist until the enemy is thoroughly defeated," asserting that all American assets in the region are now legitimate targets. Casualty figures and damage assessments are still being gathered.

Targets of the Strikes in Iran

Tehran

The capital faced the most intense bombardment. Missiles struck various districts, with reports indicating direct hits on key locations such as the Ministry of Intelligence, the Ministry of Defence, the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and the Parchin military complex, a site closely linked to Iran's defense sector. Additional strikes were reported on University Street and the Jomhouri area. According to Mehr News Agency, at least two students lost their lives when missiles hit a school east of Tehran. In light of the ongoing attacks, Iran's National Security Council has advised residents of Tehran to evacuate the city due to concerns of further strikes.

Casualties in Other Cities

Minab

In the southern city of Minab, an Israeli strike on an elementary school resulted in at least 51 fatalities, marking one of the deadliest incidents reported thus far.

Isfahan

Isfahan has previously been targeted, with US and Israeli strikes hitting military and nuclear-related facilities earlier in 2025. The recent attack on Saturday struck the city again, though the specific targets remain unclear. The city is crucial to Iran's ballistic missile program, housing production plants and research facilities that have attracted international scrutiny.

Widespread Attacks Across Iran

Other Cities Affected

In addition to Tehran, Minab, and Isfahan, explosions were reported in various locations across the country, including Kermanshah, Qom, Tabriz, Ilam, Karaj, Lorestan province, Zanjan, Urmia, Bushehr, Damavand, and Shiraz.

Iran's Retaliation

Iran Strikes Back

Iran had previously warned that any assault on its territory would provoke a response against US military assets in the region. On Saturday, it acted on that warning.

Israel

Israel declared a "special state of emergency" as explosions illuminated the skies over northern and central regions, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, where air raid sirens sounded continuously. The Israeli military confirmed it was actively intercepting a new wave of incoming Iranian missiles, with residents taking shelter in bunkers nationwide. One nine-story building in northern Israel was hit after interceptor missiles downed an incoming projectile nearby, resulting in minor injuries to a man from falling debris, as reported by local media.

Qatar

Smoke was seen rising from a residential area on the outskirts of Doha, caused by debris from an intercepted missile. Qatar's Ministry of Defence stated it successfully thwarted several attacks on its territory.

UAE

The UAE's Ministry of Defence confirmed it intercepted a series of incoming missiles. One Pakistani national was killed by falling debris, and explosions were heard in Dubai, likely due to the interceptions rather than direct hits.

Bahrain

A missile attack targeted the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th Fleet, which is stationed in Bahrain, a country that hosts a significant American naval presence in the Gulf.

Kuwait

Kuwait's Ministry of Defence reported that Ali al-Salem Air Base was targeted by multiple ballistic missiles, all of which were intercepted by the country's air defense systems, with no casualties reported.

Saudi Arabia

Loud explosions were reported in Riyadh, with Saudi Arabia expressing solidarity with Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE, all of which faced attacks on Saturday.

Iraq

A drone targeted Erbil International Airport in northern Iraq but was intercepted before reaching its target.

Jordan

Missiles were intercepted over Amman, with burning debris falling near at least one residential area, though no injuries were reported.

The scale of the events on Saturday, with strikes across more than a dozen Iranian cities and retaliatory actions affecting seven countries simultaneously, marks a significant escalation from previous months of threats and diplomatic efforts to a full-scale conflict. Details regarding casualties and the extent of damage on both sides are still emerging, and the situation in the region remains volatile.