US-Israel Strikes On Iran Live Updates: Hours after Hezbollah attack on Israel, massive explosions reported in Beirut

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the country reserves the right of response following the Iranian attack, in according with international law. It said Qatar strongly condemned the targeting of Qatari territory with ballistic missiles, considering it a flagrant violation of its national sovereignty, a direct assault on its security and an unacceptable escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region.

Iran on Saturday said the US-Israeli airstrikes in southern Iran killed five students at a girls’ school, the first confirmed fatalities in the operation. The state-run IRNA news agency reported the strike happened in Minab in the province of Hormozgan. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has a base in the city.

Reza Pahlavi in a video posted on X said, "My dear compatriots, Moments of destiny lie ahead of us. The aid that the President of the United States promised to the brave people of Iran has now arrived. This is a humanitarian intervention; and its target is the Islamic Republic, its repressive apparatus, and its machinery of slaughter--not the country and great nation of Iran. But, even with the arrival of this aid, the final victory will still be forged by our hands. It is we, the people of Iran, who will finish the job in this final battle. The time to return to the streets is near."

According to a report by Israel’s Channel 12, citing unnamed Israeli sources, Israel assesses that the strikes on Iran have achieved "very high success" in the goal of eliminating the Iranian leadership, including senior commanders and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

According to Times of Israel, the report, which was broadcast within the limitations of military censorship, noted that a presidential facility was targeted and stated it is "not clear" that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei did not "undergo a dramatic event," with Israel reportedly being "very satisfied" with the results.

Iran's foreign ministry has issued a statement declaring that "the time has come to defend the homeland" following joint military strikes by the United States and Israel.

Qatar’s defence ministry confirmed that it has successfully neutralized multiple attacks targeting the country, Al-Jazeera reported.

“The Ministry of Defense confirms that the threat was dealt with immediately upon detection, in accordance with the pre-approved security plan, and that all missiles were intercepted before reaching Qatari territory,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said months of “close and joint planning” with the United States enabled a coordinated campaign of strikes targeting Iran.

“The strike targeted dozens of military targets and was carried out as part of a broad, coordinated, and joint operation against the regime,” the IDF said. It added that the campaign aims to “thoroughly degrade” the Iranian regime and “remove existential threats to Israel,” according to CNN.

“Even at this hour, Israeli Air Force fighter jets continue to strike targets across Iran based on precise intelligence,” the statement said. “Operations will continue as required.” According to reports, Iranian ballistic missiles and launchers were among the first targets of the strikes.

As the conflict escalates, the Iranian officials have told Reuters that all US bases and interests are within Iran's reach.

The Israeli military said its strikes on Iran, carried out in coordination with the United States, targeted dozens of military sites following months of joint planning.

“The strike targeted dozens of military targets and was carried out as part of a broad, coordinated, and joint operation against the regime,” the army said in a statement.

It added, “In the months preceding the strike, close and joint planning was conducted between the IDF and the US military, enabling the execution of the broad strike in full synchronisation and coordination between the two militaries.”

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Qatar has issued an alert on mobile devices, recommending all residents to stay indoors whether at home or elsewhere, away from military bases, according to Al-Jazeera.

Reports are emerging of multiple explosions across Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Qatar, locations that host United States military bases.

Reports indicate multiple explosions in Bahrain amid escalating regional tensions. The Interior Ministry of Bahrain has issued an emergency alert, urging citizens to move to the nearest safe locations, according to Al-Jazeera.

Israel-Iran news live: Key developments in Iran in recent years

Iran’s Interior Ministry has condemned the recent strikes as a “criminal enemy, once again, in violation of all international laws and during negotiations, has attacked our dear homeland again,” according to Tasnim News Agency.

The ministry has instructed governors across all provinces to follow previous directives, provide “prompt” reports on local situations and ensure the mobilisation of all facilities to address the urgent needs of the people.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has said it has launched its first wave of drones and missiles targeting Israel, marking a direct escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two countries.

Iran is experiencing a near-total internet blackout, according to online freedom watchdog NetBlocks.

“Confirmed: Network data show #Iran is now in the midst of a near-total internet blackout with national connectivity at 4% of ordinary levels,” NetBlocks said in a post on its Telegram channel.

“The incident comes amid US and Israeli combat operations and matches measures used during last year’s war with Israel,” according to CNN.

The disruption follows previous instances where Iranian authorities restricted online access during periods of unrest. Earlier this year, Iranians faced widespread internet shutdowns as the regime blocked communications while cracking down on anti-government protests.

Explosions have been reported in Dezful and near Kharg Island in Iran, according to the Fars News Agency, adding to multiple blast reports across the country amid the ongoing conflict with Israel.

Germany’s flagship carrier Lufthansa announced it is suspending flights to and from Dubai on Saturday and Sunday as security concerns escalates.

The airline also said it will halt operations to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman until March 7. The move comes as military tensions intensify in the Middle East, prompting several international carriers to reassess flight routes and passenger safety.

Qatar remains secure after US and Israeli attacks on neighbouring Iran but is monitoring developments closely, the interior ministry said on Saturday.

"The situation inside the State of Qatar is stable and secure, and there are currently no indications of concern at the level of internal security," the ministry said in a statement said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for regime change in Tehran on Saturday morning in his first video statement about the US-Israel strikes on Iran. He began his video statement by thanking President Donald Trump “for his historic leadership.”

Netanyahu called on “all parts of the Iranian people” to “cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran.” He said, “Our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.

During the 12-day war with Iran in June, Netanyahu had also called on the Iranian people to rise up against the regime.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a first statment said that the United States and Israel have launched a joint operation to eliminate what he described as the “existential threat” posed by Iran’s regime.

“Israel and the United States have launched an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terror regime in Iran,” Netanyahu said, adding that the operation would create the conditions for the Iranian people “to take their fate into their own hands.”

He asserted that Iran “must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons,” and described Tehran as a “murderous regime” that cannot be permitted to gain nuclear arms.

Civilians staying in a shelter after alarms announced that Israel had launched an attack on Iran (AP image)

The son of Iran's last shah voiced confidence Saturday in victory against the Islamic republic after the United States and Israel launched an attack.

"We are very close to final victory. I want to be by your side as soon as possible so that together we can take back and rebuild Iran," Reza Pahlavi, who lives in exile in the Washington area, said in an online video address.

The United States and Iran, long-standing adversaries since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, faced a new flashpoint on Saturday as Israel launched strikes on Tehran, with the US joining in “major combat operations,” President Donald Trump confirmed.

The conflict follows a series of historic confrontations between the two nations: the 1979 hostage crisis, US labeling Iran part of the “axis of evil” in 2002, withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018, the 2020 killing of General Qasem Soleimani and the 2025 strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Tensions escalated further in 2026 after Trump deployed a US “armada” to the Gulf amid Iran’s crackdown on protests, prompting indirect talks mediated by Oman. Despite negotiations, Trump warned on February 19 of a limited window to reach an agreement, saying, “10, 15 days, pretty much maximum… otherwise bad things happen.”

Saturday’s strikes represent the latest chapter in a decades-long confrontation. Iranian nuclear and military sites were targeted, including areas near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s offices. Tehran has warned of retaliation. Israel and Iran both have closed their airspace and issued alerts to civilians.

President Donald Trump encouraged Iranians to seize control of their government when US military operations conclude, according to CNN.

“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” the president said in a video message.

President Donald Trump is continuing to monitor the US strikes in Iran from his Mar-a-Lago resort, a White House official told CNN.

He released a video message describing the rationale behind the strikes, urging Iranians to take over the government and warning that US lives could be lost.

US President Donald Trump confirmed America’s involvement in military operations against Iran following Israel’s daylight strikes on Tehran on Saturday. The attacks targeted military and government installations, including sites near Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s offices, as tensions escalated over Iran’s nuclear program.

Addressing the situation, Trump said, “Now we have a big decision to make. You know that. Not easy. We have a very big decision to make. We have a country that has, for 47 years, been blowing people's legs off, arms off, the face. They've been knocking out ships, killing people — lots of people. Well, not only Americans, lots of people. It's been terrible. 32,000 people killed over the last two, three months — protesters."

He added, “They want to make a deal, but you’ve got to make a deal that's meaningful. I spoke with Ted Cruz, John, all of them on the way here. I said you’ve got to make a deal that's meaningful. We hit them real hard, as you know, with those beautiful B-2 bombers recently, knocked out their nuclear capability. But I'd rather do it the peaceful way. But they're very difficult people. I want to tell you that. They're very dangerous people, very difficult people."

The Embassy of India in Tel Aviv has issued a safety advisory for all Indian nationals following the ongoing security situation in the region. Indians are advised to exercise “utmost caution” and remain vigilant, strictly following instructions from Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command. Residents are urged to stay close to designated shelters, avoid non-essential travel, and monitor local news and official alerts.

• In case of emergencies, citizens can contact the 24x7 helpline at +972-54-7520711 or via email at cons1.telaviv@mea.gov.in
• Updated instructions and safety guidelines are available at https://oref.org.il/eng