Explosions in Tehran and other Iranian cities, missile counterattacks on Israel: the military situation in the Middle East is escalating. Here's what we know so far.
When did the attack begin?
The first information about the attack on Iran came at 7:15 a.m. on Saturday. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the army had carried out a “preemptive strike“ against Iran to “eliminate threats“. At the same time, the Israeli army issued a warning to all citizens in the country, and mobile emergency applications also issued warnings.
A little later, US President Donald Trump announced that the US armed forces had launched a major military operation in Iran. The goal is to protect the American people by "eliminating the immediate threat from the Iranian regime," Trump said in a video posted on social media. He accused Iran of developing long-range missiles that threaten the US and other countries. Now the missiles and missile industry, as well as the naval forces, will be destroyed.
Trump warned that there could be American casualties in Iranian counterattacks: "This often happens in war," he wrote on his social platform Truth Social, according to German public media ARD.
What targets were hit?
It is still unclear. Witnesses initially reported several explosions in the center of the Iranian capital, Tehran. People fled in panic. According to state media, explosions were also heard in other parts of the city. Long lines formed outside gas stations, with many residents trying to leave the capital.
Several ministries were attacked in the center of Tehran, a government official told Reuters. The residence of Iran's spiritual leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, may also have been attacked. Iranian state media reported explosions in the area. It is not known whether the residence was directly attacked or where he was at the time. However, Khamenei was reportedly evacuated to a safe location. State media also reported that President Massoud Pezeshkian was not injured. Reporters reported at least two large plumes of smoke rising over the capital Tehran.
Explosions were also reported in the Iranian cities of Qom, Lorestan, Kermanshah, Karaj and Tabriz. Israel's public television reported that targets belonging to the Islamic leadership and the army were attacked. The attacks were also reportedly aimed at ballistic missile installations.
According to news agencies, the US attacks on Iran were carried out from the air and from the sea. Fars News Agency reported this morning about massive cyberattacks on the country. Several local news agencies and central platforms were affected, including the websites of the IRNA and ISNA news agencies. Fars News Agency is close to the Revolutionary Guard. Iran, neighboring Iraq and Israel closed their airspace to civilian flights, ARD also reported.
Did Iran react to the attack?
About two hours after the first reports of attacks on Iran, Iranian retaliatory missile strikes were reported. Israeli authorities declared an air alert. According to residents of northern Israel, explosions were heard.
In the previous days, Iran threatened to retaliate in the event of an attack. The head of the Security Commission, Ebrahim Azizi, said this morning: “We warned you. Now you have taken a path whose outcome is no longer in your hands.“
The German embassy in Tel Aviv called on Germans in Israel to strictly follow the instructions of the security services. “Stay close to suitable shelters“, wrote German Ambassador Steffen Seibert on the X platform.
Lufthansa has canceled all flights to several destinations in the Middle East. Air traffic to and from Dubai will be suspended on Saturday and Sunday, a spokesman for the airline said. Flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut and Oman will be canceled until March 7.
Is the regime in Iran under threat?
Neither Israel nor the United States leaves any room for doubt on this point. Trump addressed the Iranian people with the words: “Your hour of freedom has come.“ He called on the Revolutionary Guard, the Iranian armed forces and the police forces to lay down their arms and promised them complete immunity in return. Otherwise, certain death awaits them.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this morning that the attacks would give the Iranian people the opportunity to "take their destiny into their own hands." However, what will follow from this is still unclear, German public broadcaster ARD emphasizes.