Iran\u2019s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not in Tehran, and has been transferred to a secure location, an official told Reuters on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.52 EST<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n A former UK national security adviser said US and Israeli strikes against Iran<\/a> were not \u201clegal in a way that the UK would recognise\u201d.<\/p>\n Lord Peter Ricketts told BBC Radio 4\u2019s Today programme: \u201cNone of this, I think, is in any sense legal in a way that the UK would recognise.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was really no imminent threat to the US. This is action that they chose to undertake, or were dragged into it by the Israelis.\u201d<\/p>\n Lord Ricketts added that the Israeli government had \u201cpre-empted any risk that the US-Iranian negotiations were going to reach some sort of deal on the nuclear programme\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>What we know so far<\/p>\n The US has launched \u201cmajor combat operations\u201d in Iran, designed to eliminate \u201cimminent threats\u201d from the country\u2019s regime, Donald Trump announced on Saturday.<\/p>\n The operation is \u201cmassive and ongoing\u201d, the US president said in a video on social media, pledging to use \u201coverwhelming strength and devastating force\u201d to destroy Iranian missiles and ensure it cannot develop a nuclear weapon.<\/p>\n Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks aimed to \u201cremove the existential threat\u201d posed by the Iranian regime, as he urged the people of Iran to topple the government.<\/p>\n A short time beforehand, Israel said it had launched \u201cpreventative\u201d strikes on Iran.<\/p>\n Sirens were sounded in Israel as the IDF said Iran had fired a \u201cbarrage of missiles\u201d in retaliation.<\/p>\n Explosions were heard in Tehran, the Iranian capital, where smoke could be seen rising on the skyline, and several other cities. Iran has closed its airspace.<\/p>\n \u201cThe hour of your freedom is at hand,\u201d Trump told Iranian citizens, urging them to \u201ctake over your government\u201d once the operation is over.<\/p>\n Talks between the US and Iran on Tehran\u2019s nuclear programme ended inconclusively on Friday, with a suggestion that further discussions would be held next week. Trump had said<\/a> he was \u201cnot happy\u201d with the progress of discussions.<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not in Tehran, and has been transferred to a secure location, an official told Reuters on Saturday.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.52 EST<\/p>\n Netanyahu: Attacks on Iran to remove ‘existential threat’<\/p>\n Netanyahu said the attacks on Iran<\/a> were aimed at removing an \u201cexistential threat\u201d as he thanked his \u201cgreat friend\u201d Trump.<\/p>\n He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markIsrael and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran. I thank our great friend, president Donald Trump, for his historic leadership.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Netanyahu: US-Israel attacks against Iran will allow Iranians to topple Ayatollah regime<\/p>\n Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a recorded speech to the nation, saying the joint US-Israeli attacks against Iran<\/a> will allow for the Iranian people to topple the regime and establish a \u201cfree, peace-seeking Iran\u201d.<\/p>\n He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markFor 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has cried \u2018Death to Israel\u2019, \u2018Death to America\u2019. It spilled our blood, murdered many Americans and slaughtered its own people. We must not allow this murderous terrorist regime to arm itself with nuclear weapons that will allow it to endanger all of humanity.<\/p>\n It\u2019s time for all the people of Iran \u2013 Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Balochis and Akhvakhs \u2013 to shed from themselves the burden of tyranny and bring forth a free and peace-seeking Iran.<\/p>\n Netanyahu said the operation will allow for the Iranian people \u201cto seize their fate\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The IDF is reporting that Iran<\/a> is continuing to launch a \u201cbarrage of missiles\u201d at Israel.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>‘Take over your government’, Trump tells Iranian people<\/p>\n Trump ended his eight-minute speech on Truth Social by addressing the Iranian people, telling them to \u201ctake over your government\u201d.<\/p>\n He said:<\/p>\n double quotation markFinally, to the great, proud people of Iran, I say tonight that the hour of your freedom is at hand. Stay sheltered. Don\u2019t leave your home. It\u2019s very dangerous outside. Bombs will be dropping everywhere. When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations. For many years, you have asked for America\u2019s help. But you never got it. No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want. So let\u2019s see how you respond. America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force. Now is the time to seize control of your destiny and to unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach. This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Iran launched missiles at Israel, says IDF<\/p>\n The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said missiles were launched from Iran<\/a> towards Israel this morning.<\/p>\n In statement posted on X, it said: \u201cDefensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the past few minutes, the home front command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas.<\/p>\n \u201cSirens were sounded in several areas across the country following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward Israel. At this time, the IAF (Israeli Air Force) is operating to intercept and strike threats where necessary to remove the threat.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is issuing a statement, according to Reuters news agency. We shall bring you more when we get it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Tehran residents had reported two rounds of explosions by 10.30am focussed on the Pasteur area of the capital where the presidential office is situated along with the offices of the national security council. Wounded were being taken away in ambulances<\/p>\n Attacks were also mounted on the offices of the supreme leader and the assembly of experts, the body that chooses the Iranian supreme leader. The aim appeared to be to try to damage the political leadership of Iran. Iranian sources said the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was not in Tehran but in a safe undisclosed location.<\/p>\n No assassination of any official was confirmed, despite rumours that the president, Masud Pezeshkhian, had been targeted.<\/p>\n The headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps was also attacked and a significant number of deaths and injuries were being reported.<\/p>\n But explosions were being reported across the country including in Qom, Tabriz Kermanshah Lorestan Khorramabad and Karaj.<\/p>\n Cyber attacks were also underway and Iranian residents reported that the internet was slowing making reporting of what is happening harder.<\/p>\n Ebrahim Azizi, the chairman of the parliament\u2019s national security commission, wrote on X: \u201cWe warned you, but now you have started down a path that is beyond your control.\u201d<\/p>\n Iranian officials vowed a crushing response and seemed to believe this was the start of a full scale military exchange, and not a limited US action designed to force Iran to change its negotiating position.<\/p>\n Iran has also closed its airspace and issued advice to civilians on how to avoid bombings. It is not clear if the Tehran underground systems will be opened as shelters.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Schools and workplaces closed in Jerusalem until Monday<\/p>\n Authorities in Jerusalem have ordered schools and workplaces to remain shut until Monday with people urged to avoid going out unless they are an essential worker.<\/p>\n The home front command in Jerusalem, a regional district of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) responsible for emergencies, said: \u201cThere will be no educational activities, no gatherings, and no going to work, except for workers defined as essential. This policy is in effect from Saturday (2\/28) at 8am (6am GMT) until Monday (3\/2) at 8pm (6pm GMT).\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>‘We are going to raze their missile industry to the ground’ – Trump<\/p>\n Here are some more lines from Trump\u2019s statement on Truth Social.<\/p>\n double quotation mark Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a003.30 EST<\/p>\n Lay down your arms or ‘face certain death’, Trump tells Revolutionary Guards<\/p>\n In a video posted on Truth Social, Trump has told the Revolutionary Guards to lay down their arms, saying: \u201cYou will be treated fairly with total immunity or you will face certain death.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump has accused Iran<\/a> of developing long-range missiles that threaten the US and others.<\/p>\n He said the US will \u201craze their missile industry to the ground\u201d and \u201cannihilate their navy\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.57 EST<\/p>\n US military has launched ‘major combat operations’ in Iran – Trump<\/p>\n Trump says the US military<\/a> has launched \u201cmajor combat operations\u201d in Iran, saying the country had attempted to rebuild its nuclear programme.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.39 EST<\/p>\n Sirens sounded across Israel just after 8am on Saturday, waking up anyone who was still asleep, and alerting the population that another war had begun.<\/p>\n Less than a year after Israel\u2019s last war with Iran<\/a>, which involved ballistic missile strikes on towns and cities across the country, citizens were warned to stay near shelters and be alert to air-raid warnings.<\/p>\n Air space was closed, with civilian flights cancelled and travellers turned away from the main Ben Gurion airport.<\/p>\n Saturday is a quiet day in Israel, when observant Jews avoid using phones and transport, and most shops and businesses are closed, so the disruptions caused by war were less immediately obvious.<\/p>\n But schools and universities will be closed on Sunday and Monday, and the large Sheba medical centre near Tel Aviv announced it would shift patients to underground wards.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a002.41 EST<\/p>\n Mobile phone services cut in Iran<\/p>\n Mobile phone services have been cut in Iran<\/a> after the Israeli attacks, according to a report from Associated Press.<\/p>\n![\"Jamie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Jamie-Grierson,-L.png\")
Jamie Grierson<\/p>\n![\"Patrick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1772269029_412_Patrick-Wintour,-R.png\")
Patrick Wintour<\/p>\n
The United States military has undertaken a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests. We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated. We are going to annihilate their navy. We are going to ensure that the region\u2019s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilise the region or the world, and attack our forces, and no longer use their IEDs – or roadside bombs, as they are sometimes called – to so gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people including many Americans. And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.<\/p>\n![\"Emma](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Emma_Graham-Harrison,_L.png\")
Emma Graham-Harrison<\/p>\n