The US and Israel launched joint airstrikes on Iran's capital and several other parts of the country, according to reports. Israeli authorities report that the strikes were aimed at Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei, President Pezeshkian, and other top political and military leaders. According to an Iranian source, several senior Iranian revolutionary guard commanders and political officials have been killed in the strikes.
The Iranian cities hit include Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Kermanshah, and Qom, according to Telegram posts from the country's Revolutionary Guard Corps. Sky News understands that also targeted was the Supreme Leader's residence, the nation's intelligence ministry, its defence ministry, and its Atomic Energy Organization. Daily Express reports that 24 people, including five students, were killed after a girls' primary school in Minab, southern Iran's Hormozgan province, was targeted in Israeli strikes, while Sky News cites regime-run news agencies stating more than 50 students were killed and scores more injured in another strike at a girls' school in Minab.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired missiles against US military bases in the Gulf in retaliation against the attack on Iran. The Revolutionary Guard said it considers 'all US bases, resources, and interests in the region to be legitimate targets' for retaliation. Now Iran has hit back, simultaneously striking four US bases across the Middle East: Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al Salem base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain.
The attack on the US Navy's Fifth Fleet centre was also reported by Bahraini state news agency BNA. Explosions were reported in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE and Qatar. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been seeing missile interceptions.
Sky correspondent Sally Lockwood further reports that a loud explosion had been heard in Dubai. At least one person has been killed in the UAE. There have been no reported American casualties, two officials told our US partner NBC News.
It comes after Donald Trump confirmed 'major combat operations' against Iran in an eight-minute video on Truth Social. Donald Trump urged the Iranian people to rise up against the ruling regime, saying: 'When we are finished, take over your government, it will be yours to take'.