Smoke rising from an explosion in Tehran caused by Israeli airstrikes. PHOTO: X
Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran on Saturday, pushing the Middle East into a renewed military confrontation and further dimming hopes for a diplomatic solution to the West’s long-standing agenda to denuclearise Iran, despite Iran’s repeated assertions that it will not pursue nuclear weapons.
According to the Fars news agency, explosions have been heard in Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah.
An official told Reuters that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei is not in Tehran and has been transferred to a secure location. The New York Times, citing a US official, reported that US strikes on Iran were underway.
“The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said.
Israeli Defence officials state that this operation was planned months ago, with the launch date decided some weeks prior. They added that this attack was coordinated with the US.
Iranian state media says that mobile phone lines have been cut in parts of western and eastern Tehran, and internet connectivity has been weakened in some areas.
Explosions were heard in Tehran on Saturday, Iranian media reported, and sirens sounded across Israel around 08:15 local time in what the military said was a “proactive alert” to prepare the public for the possibility of an incoming missile strike.
The Israeli military announced the closure of schools and workplaces, with exceptions for essential sectors, and a ban on public airspace. Israel closed its airspace to civilian flights, and the airport authority asked the public not to go to any of the country’s airports.
The attack comes after Israel and Iran engaged in a 12-day air war in June, following repeated US-Israeli threats that they would strike again if Iran pressed ahead with its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
The US and Iran renewed negotiations in February in a bid to resolve the decades-long dispute through diplomacy and avert the threat of a military confrontation that could destabilise the region.
Israel, however, insisted that any US deal with Iran must include the dismantling of Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure, not just stopping the enrichment process, and lobbied Washington to include restrictions on Iran’s missile programme in the talks.
Iran has repeatedly said that it has never sought nuclear weapons.
Always pleased to engage with President Erdoğan and FM Fidan on Iran-Turkiye bilateral relations and regional issues of common concern.
In our conversations, I reiterated that Iran has never sought nuclear weapons and is ready to embrace a fair and equitable nuclear deal that… pic.twitter.com/YLEHYpUkgm
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) January 31, 2026
Iran said it was prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for lifting sanctions, but ruled out linking the issue to missiles.
Tehran also said it would defend itself against any attack.
It warned neighbouring countries hosting US troops that it would retaliate against American bases if Washington struck Iran.
In June, the US joined an Israeli military campaign against Iranian nuclear installations, in the most direct American military action ever against the Islamic Republic.
Tehran retaliated by launching missiles toward the US Al Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest in the Middle East.
Western powers have warned that Iran’s ballistic missile project threatens regional stability and could deliver nuclear weapons if developed. Tehran denies seeking atomic bombs.
Pakistani and international reactions
Spokesperson of the Jafaria Alliance, Allama Baqir Zaidi, released a statement condemning Israel’s attack on Iran.
“Israel has initiated war and put the region at risk,” he said. “The people of Pakistan stand with the Iranian people.”
Iraq has closed its airspace, according to its state news agency.
This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly
With input from Web Desk
