The first reports of explosions in the Iranian capital Tehran came shortly after 7 a.m. Saturday, local time in Sweden. Israel says it has launched a “preemptive strike,” which is reported to be nationwide. Iran and Israel are closing their respective airspaces and, in Iran, mobile networks are reportedly down.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirms that the U.S. is engaged in a “major combat operation” aimed at militarily crushing Iran. He calls on the Iranian people to overthrow the regime.
On Saturday morning, there were reports of explosions after Iranian counterattacks against northern Israel. Iran announced that it had fired “the first wave” of drones and rockets at Israel. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait - all of which host U.S. bases - reported that they had been attacked and had shot down Iranian missiles in their airspace.
Spread to Lebanon
Late Saturday night, Donald Trump announced that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had been killed. Mohammad Pakpour, leader of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, and Army Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi were also killed in the attacks.
On Sunday, Israel and the U.S. carried out more attacks on Iran, and Iran continued to attack Israel. Explosions were also reported from several cities in countries around the Persian Gulf.
On Monday night, the Iran-allied Islamist movement Hezbollah in Lebanon launched rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel. Israel responded with a large number of airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Israel continues to attack Iran. According to UN estimates, around 100,000 residents fled the city during the first two days of attacks.
Calls for evacuation
On Tuesday, Israel continues to carry out airstrikes against targets in Lebanon and Iran. Iran continues to target several countries in the Middle East with drone attacks.
The Israeli military announces that soldiers have been sent across the border to several locations in southern Lebanon as a "defensive measure" and urges residents in the area to leave their homes in anticipation of extensive airstrikes.
The death toll in Iran is rising; according to regime sources and independent organizations, over 1,100 people have been killed.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on Wednesday morning that the country has hit nearly 2,000 targets in Iran since Saturday. According to the U.S., Iran has fired over 500 ballistic missiles and more than 2,000 drones.
The United States said on the same day that an American submarine had sunk an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka in a torpedo attack. Remains of 87 Iranian crew members have been found, according to Sri Lankan authorities.
The war is also having a major impact on shipping traffic through the important Strait of Hormuz, which has decreased by around 90 percent since the war broke out.
On Thursday night, attacks from both Israel and Iran continued. Iran is attacking Bahrain, where an oil facility is reported to have been hit.
Azerbaijan said it shot down at least two Iranian drones on Thursday and blamed Tehran, which denied the claim.
Second phase
Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir announced on Thursday evening that a second phase of the war with Iran has begun, and that Israel has "surprises" in the new stage. The army chief also stated that 80 percent of Iran's air defense system has been destroyed and that it is close to "complete air dominance."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in turn, says that Iran is ready for a ground war, and that it would be "a great disaster for them," referring to Israel and the United States.
Israel is stepping up operations on the front against Lebanon, urging residents to flee southern Lebanon and eastern parts of the country ahead of an operation that will "penetrate deeper into Lebanon," according to the army chief.
Israel announced on Friday night that it had launched a "comprehensive wave of attacks" against Iran. The announcement was preceded in the hours before by several Iranian attacks on Israel and, among others, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Lebanon is also under continued attack from Israel. Hezbollah is urging Israelis near the border to evacuate.
