Israel and US attack Iran
Strikes follow failure to get breakthrough in US-Iran nuclear talks
Iran’s supreme leader moved to a secure location
President Donald Trump announced this morning that he ordered the attack, saying the Iranian regime will come to learn that you don’t challenge America.
Follow the Irish Independent’s liveblog below:
Key updates
President Catherine Connolly says ‘all steps possible’ must be taken to avoid further escalation
Iran ‘must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons’, Taoiseach says
UPDATE AT DUBLIN AIRPORT: Emirates and Qatar Airways cancel Dublin flights to Doha and Dubai
Helen McEntee ‘deeply concerned’ after strikes on Iran
DFA upgrades Israel travel advisory to ‘Do Not Travel’
EU’s Von der Leyen and Costa call for ‘maximum restraint’ after US and Israel launch strikes on Iran
LATEST: Israel and US launch strikes on Iran, targeting its leadership
One person killed in Abu Dhabi as UAE intercepts Iranian missiles
Irish citizens in UAE advised to ‘shelter in place’
Trump warns some Americans may die amid US strikes in Iran
BREAKING: ‘Bombs will be dropping everywhere’ – war in Iran as Donald Trump orders major combat operation
The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, targeting its leadership and plunging the Middle East into a new conflict that President Donald Trump said would end a security threat to the United States and give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers.
The strikes put nearby oil-producing Gulf Arab countries on edge as fears of escalation in the region grew, and Tehran responded by launching missiles towards Israel.
President Catherine Connolly says ‘all steps possible’ must be taken to avoid further escalation
President Catherine Connolly has said “all possible steps” must be taken to avoid a further escalation in the Middle East following missile strikes on Iran.
Ms Connolly said: “As President of Ireland, may I join with all those who have expressed such grave concern following today’s strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, and Iran’s retaliatory strikes in the region.
“The normalisation of war, including the invasion at will of sovereign states, is a path that only leads to destruction and loss of life.“As the Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres has said, today’s escalation undermines international peace and security with severe potential consequences for civilians and regional stability.”
The President added: “All possible steps must be taken to avoid a further escalation in the region.
“I call on all sides to immediately return to diplomacy and negotiation in line with the principles of international law and the UN Charter.“I welcome the support of Irish embassies and missions in the region who are working to support Irish citizens at a time when their safety and welfare will be of immediate concern to all those with friends and family living in the region.”France was not informed in advance of strikes against Iran, Macron saysPresident Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday that France was neither told in advance nor involved in the strikes against Iran.”Our absolute priority is the security of our nationals and of our assets,” Macron said, adding that “diplomacy must regain the upper hand”.Macron was speaking at the start of a meeting of France’s Defence and National Security Council in Paris to discuss the situation in Iran and the Middle East.
Fire breaks out in luxury hotel in Dubai amid Iranian retaliatory strikes in the Middle East
Hezbollah expresses ‘solidarity’ with Iran, doesn’t say if it will act Lebanon’s Hezbollah expressed solidarity with Iran on Saturday as it came under attack from the United States and Israel, warning in a statement of dire consequences for the region without saying whether it would get involved.
Hezbollah, a Shi’ite Muslim militia and political party that has fought numerous conflicts with Israel since being established by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982, was severely weakened by Israel in a war in 2024, when its leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed.
Israel had warned Beirut that it would strike Lebanon hard, targeting civilian infrastructure including the airport, if Hezbollah involved itself in any U.S.-Iran war.
In a statement, Hezbollah said the consequences of the U.S.-Israeli plan would “affect everyone without exception if left unchallenged”. “We are confident that the American and Israeli enemy will receive a major blow,” it said.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he would not accept anyone dragging Lebanon into “adventures that threaten its security and unity”, a veiled message to Hezbollah.
In a statement released after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran, Salam noted the “serious developments” in the region and called on “all Lebanese to act with wisdom and patriotism, placing Lebanon and the Lebanese people’s interests above any other consideration”.
White House says Trump spoke with Netanyahu, monitoring Iran situation
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone on Saturday and will continue to closely monitor the Iranian situation with his national security team, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said.
All US, Israeli assets in region are legitimate military targets, Iran tells UNIran considers all U.S. and Israeli bases, facilities, and assets in the region to be “legitimate military objectives,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told the United Nations Security Council and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a letter on Saturday.”Iran will continue to exercise its right of self-defense decisively and without hesitation until the aggression ceases fully and unequivocally,” he wrote in the letter seen by Reuters.Iran’s supreme leader Khamenei to give speech within minutes after U.S., Israeli strikes on Iran, Al-Alam TV saysIran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will speak within minutes, Iran’s Al-Alam TV reported, hours after U.S., Israeli strikes targeted top Iranian leaders on Saturday.
Donald Trump is expected to address the nation this afternoon.
Iranian minister says ‘we may have lost a few commanders’, according to NBC News reporter on X
Iran’s foreign minister said on Saturday that “we may have lost a few commanders, but that’s not such a big problem,” according to an NBC News reporter on X.
France’s Macron convenes defense council meeting on Iran at 5pm
President Emmanuel Macron will hold a meeting of the French defense and national security council to discuss the situation in Iran and in the Middle-East at 1700 GMT, Macron’s office said on Saturday.
Iran ‘must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons’, Taoiseach says
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he is “deeply concerned” by what is happening in the Middle East between Iran, Israel and the US.
He issued a statement this afternoon calling for all parties to “exercise restraint” and work towards averting a wider regional conflict.
“Ireland has always believed that conflict should be resolved through diplomacy and negotiations, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and international law,” Mr Martin said in a statement.
“That must apply in this situation as much as in any other.
“The protection of civilian life in Iran, in Israel and in all neighbouring countries must now be paramount.”
Describing the current Iranian government as a “brutal and repressive” regime that has “massacred and imprisoned” protestors in the country, he attributed regional instability to Tehran.
“It has used its malign influence to drive conflict and division throughout the Middle East.
“We have been clear that it must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons and we have supported international efforts to ensure its compliance with its obligations in international law.
“That goal should be pursued around the negotiating table.”
He added that Irish embassies in the Middle East are liaising with any Irish citizens affected.
Russia says Trump and Israel are plunging the Middle East into the abyss with Iran attack Russia on Saturday criticised U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel for embarking on a dangerously irresponsible attack on Iran which Moscow said was plunging the entire Middle East into the abyss.
The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, targeting its leadership and plunging the Middle East into a new conflict that Trump said would end a security threat to the U.S. and give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers.
“Washington and Tel Aviv have once again embarked on a dangerous adventure that is rapidly bringing the region closer to a humanitarian, economic, and possibly radiological catastrophe,” Russia’s foreign ministry said.
“By plunging the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation, they are actually encouraging countries around the world, primarily in the region, to acquire more and more serious means against emerging threats.”
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s powerful Security Council, chided U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday for the attack on Iran and questioned Washington’s staying power given the relatively short history of the United States compared to that of Persia’s civilisation.
“The peacekeeper is at it again. The talks with Iran were just a cover. Everyone knew that,” Medvedev, a former Russian president, said in English.
“So who has more patience to wait for the enemy’s sorry end now? The US is just 249 years old. The Persian Empire was founded over 2500 years ago. Let’s see what happens in 100 years or so…”
UPDATE AT DUBLIN AIRPORT: Emirates and Qatar Airways cancel Dublin flights to Doha and Dubai
Four outbound flights and two inbound flight have been cancelled at Dublin Airport today due to ongoing airstrikes in the Middle East.
One outbound flight to Dubai, which took off around 8.30am this morning is currently returning to Dublin after diverting over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The issues in the Middle East is having an impact on the flight schedule at Dublin Airport today,” said Graeme McQueen, Head of Media Relations at daa.
“We were due to see Emirates operate three outbound flights to Dubai and two inbound today. Two of those outbound flights (EK162 due to depart at 13.10 and EK164 at 20.50) have been cancelled by the airline, while the early morning service to Dubai (EK166), which took off at around 08.30, is currently returning to Dublin after diverting over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“On the inbound front, the 11.20 service from Dubai (EK161) arrived on time, however the later 18.55 arrival (EK163) has been cancelled.
“Elsewhere, Qatar Airways has cancelled all remaining services today between Doha and Dublin Airport, including the 14.20 and 21.20 outbound services and 19.50 inbound service. The inbound QR17 service from Doha arrived on schedule around 12.00.
“Due to air space constraints in the Middle East, we are expecting a number of already airborne aircraft to make fuel stops at Dublin Airport and our teams here are ready to accommodate this activity as required.
“We await updates from airlines regarding what flights they intend to operate tomorrow (Sunday). Passengers seeking the latest information about the status of their flight should contact their airline directly.”
The UAE has successfully intercepted a new wave of missiles, according to the Defense Ministry.
The developments in Iran are greatly concerning. We remain in close contact with our partners in the region.
We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to safeguarding regional security and stability.
Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 28, 2026
Russia’s Lavrov condemns strikes on Iran in call with Iranian ministerRussian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi on Saturday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said.Lavrov condemned what the ministry described as an “unprovoked armed attack” by the United States and Israel on Iran, and urged an immediate halt to the strikes.Four people killed in Syria after an Iranian missile falls on building, state media reports Four people were killed and several others wounded when an Iranian missile struck a building in the southern Syrian city of Sweida on Saturday, the state news agency SANA said.Other missile debris fell in the city of Quneitra and the Yarmouk Basin in Daraa province in southern Syria, according to Reuters witnesses and videos shared by residents.The sounds of warplanes were heard repeatedly in the skies over Syria on Saturday, after the United States and Israel announced a military operation against Iran.Dozens of interceptor missiles were seen in the skies over Damascus, according to two witnesses, one of them a Reuters reporter.French President Macron calls for urgent meeting of UN Security Council
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an urgent meeting on the United Nations Security Council.
“The outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security,” said Mr Macron.
“At this decisive moment, every measure is being taken to ensure the security of our national territory, our citizens, and our interests in the Middle East.
“France also stands ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners, should they request it.
“The ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop. The Iranian regime must understand that it now has no other option but to engage in good faith in negotiations to end its nuclear and ballistic programs, as well as its regional destabilization activities. This is absolutely necessary for the security of all in the Middle East.
“The Iranian people must also be able to freely build their future. The massacres committed by the Islamic regime disqualify it and demand that the voice be returned to the people. The sooner, the better.
“Faithful to its principles and aware of its international responsibilities, France is calling for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. I am in close contact with our European partners and friends in the Middle East.”
Spain’s PM Sanchez says he rejects US, Israel military action in IranSpain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday he rejected what he called the unilateral military action by the U.S. and Israel, which he said represented an escalation and contributed to a more uncertain and hostile international order.In a statement posted on social media platform X, Sanchez also said he rejected the actions of the Iranian regime and the Revolutionary Guard.”We demand immediate de-escalation and full respect for international law,” he added.Airlines suspend Middle East flights after US, Israel strikes on IranAirspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Bahrain and Jordan was empty early on Saturday, maps by flight-tracking service Flightradar24 showed. The European Union’s aviation regulator recommended that its airlines stay out of the airspace affected by the military intervention.
Below is the latest on flights listed by airline in alphabetical order:
AEGEAN AIRLINES
Greece’s largest carrier AGNr.ATsuspended flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon and Erbil in Iraq until March 2.
AIR FRANCE KLM
Air France AIRF.PA cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel and Beirut in Lebanon for Saturday.
KLM brought forward the suspension of its Amsterdam–Tel Aviv service, cancelling the flight scheduled for Saturday. The Dutch arm of Air France‑KLM had announced on Wednesday that flights would be halted from Sunday, but has now advanced that date.
Only one flight to Tel Aviv had been scheduled for Saturday.
BRITISH AIRWAYS
ICAG-owned British Airways ICAG.L said it has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain until March 3 and its flight to Amman on Saturday.
IBERIA EXPRESS
The Spanish airline owned by Iberia Group IBLA.MC cancelled a flight to Tel Aviv scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. local time.
INDIGO
The airline said it was monitoring regional updates.
JAPAN AIRLINES
Japan Airlines 9201.Tcancelled a flight on Saturday from Tokyo Haneda to Doha as well as a return flight on March 1, Nikkei said.
LOT POLISH AIRLINES
LOT Polish Airlines returned its flight LO121 from Warsaw to Dubai to Warsaw.
LUFTHANSA
The German airline LHAG.DEsuspended flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel, Beirut in Lebanon, and Oman until March 7 and flights to and from Dubai on Saturday and Sunday.
They also said they would not fly through Israeli, Lebanese, Jordanian, Iraqi and Iranian airspace until March 7.
NORWEGIAN AIR
The Nordic airline NAS.OLsuspended all flights to and from Dubai until March 4, a company spokesperson said. The carrier did not suspend flights to Tel Aviv in Israel or Beirut in Lebanon as these destinations are only active in summer, he added.
SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES
The airline told Reuters it had suspended its flight to Tel Aviv from Copenhagen on Saturday. No decision had been made regarding flights on later dates.
TURKISH AIRLINES
The airline THYAO.IScancelled flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman on Saturday and flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan until March 2.
VIRGIN ATLANTIC
Virgin Atlantic said it will temporarily avoid Iraqi airspace, resulting in some pre-planned rerouting of its flights and has cancelled its VS400 service from London Heathrow to Dubai on Saturday.
QATAR AIRWAYS
The airline said it has temporarily suspended flights to and from Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace.
WIZZ AIR
The airline WIZZ.Lhalted flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman with immediate effect until March 7.
It added that operational decisions would continue to be reviewed, and the flight schedule could be adjusted as the situation evolves.
“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Mr Trump said in a video shared on social media.
He threatened “certain death” to members of Islamic Revolutionary Guard, Iran’s armed forces, unless they lay down their weapons. And he urged the Iranian people to back him.
Mr Trump claimed Iran are developing long range missiles that are a danger to the US and others.
Earlier this morning it emerged that Israel launched a daylight attack on Iran’s capital, with a cloud of smoke rising from the city’s central area.
People watch as smoke rises over Tehran (AP)
Mr Trump called the attacks “a noble mission”, saying they were necessary because of Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and missile systems that could reach the US.
He acknowledged there could be American casualties, but added “that often happens in war”, and called on Iranian officials to “lay down your arms” or “face certain death”.
The first apparent strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Iranian media reported strikes nationwide.
It was not clear whether 86-year-old Mr Khamenei had been in his offices at the time. He has not been seen publicly in days as tensions with the US have grown, but the attack comes after the US assembled a fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear programme.
Roads to Mr Khamenei’s compound in central Tehran had been shut by authorities as other blasts rang out across the capital.
Targets in the Israeli campaign included Iran’s military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official.
Neighbouring Iraq also closed its air space after Israel launched the strikes targeting Iran.
Mr Trump had wanted a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear programme, and sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests.
Tehran had hoped to avert a war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile programme or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
It was not clear if Iran would immediately strike back, but it had warned that American military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targets for any retaliation.
The US and Israel have carried out a series of strikes on Iran (AP)
Mr Trump said Iran had “attempted to rebuild their nuclear programme and to continue developing the long-range missiles that can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland”.
He added that today’s strikes will be part of “a massive and ongoing operation” that will aim to “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground” as well as “annihilate their navy” and “ensure that the region’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilise the region or the world and attack our forces”.
Targets in the Israeli campaign included Iran’s military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to sources.
Mr Trump wanted a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear programme, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests.
After the attacks on Saturday morning he appealed to the Iranian people to “take over your government – it will be yours to take”.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done “to remove threats”.
Several hospitals in Israel launched emergency protocols, including moving patients and operations to underground facilities.
In Tehran, witnesses heard the first blast by Mr Khamenei’s office. Iranian state television later reported the explosion, without offering a cause.
Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time as it closed its air space. The Israeli military said it had issued a “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel”.
More explosions struck Iran’s capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities have offered no casualty information from the strikes.
Meanwhile, Iran shut down its air space and mobile phone services were cut.