US, Israel strike Iran; regional escalation prompts retaliation warnings across

The United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iran early Saturday, sharply escalating tensions across the Middle East. President Donald Trump said the operation aimed to significantly degrade Iran’s military capabilities and prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the country would defend its territory, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it launched retaliatory actions. Iranian officials said drones and missiles were fired toward Israel, and strikes were directed at US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.

The developments followed weeks of pressure by Washington on Tehran to accept limits on its nuclear program, alongside a visible US military buildup in the region. The pressure campaign unfolded as Iran has faced domestic unrest after nationwide protests.

Iran’s state-run IRNA reported that at least 40 people were killed at a girls’ school in southern Iran in the strikes. Separately, state media in the United Arab Emirates said one person was killed when shrapnel from an Iranian missile strike landed in the capital.

Pakistan ready to play role in promoting peace

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday he spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to convey Pakistan’s strong condemnation of what he described as a dangerous regional escalation following Israel’s attack on Iran and subsequent developments in the Gulf region.

In a statement, the prime minister said Pakistan stands in full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its brotherly Gulf countries during what he called a critical period for regional security.

Sharif added that Pakistan remains ready to play a constructive role in efforts to promote peace and stability, expressing hope that the spirit of Ramadan would help ease tensions across the region.

Saudi crown prince calls Gulf leaders

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke by phone on Saturday with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan, according to the Saudi foreign ministry.

During the calls, the crown prince reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s full solidarity with the “brotherly countries” and expressed the Kingdom’s readiness to mobilize all its capabilities in their support, the statement said, following Iranian missile strikes targeting US bases across the region.

Turkey urges 'all parties' to halt hostilities

Turkey on Saturday called on "all parties" to end the spiral of violence initiated with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, and broadened with Tehran's retaliation against Gulf states and Israel.

"The events that began with Israel and the US attacking Iran, and continued with Iran targeting third countries, are of a nature that risks the future of our region and global stability," a foreign ministry statement said, urging "all parties to cease hostilities immediately".

China calls for 'immediate halt' to Iran escalation

China warned against any further escalation in the Middle East on Saturday, calling for an "immediate halt" to violence after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, which has retaliated with missiles.

"China calls for an immediate halt to military actions, urges avoiding further escalation of tensions, and encourages the resumption of dialogue and negotiations to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East," Beijing's foreign ministry said.

"Iran's national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected," it added.

More explosions heard in Abu Dhabi, Manama, Doha

Residents and AFP correspondents in the Emirati, Qatari, and Bahraini capitals heard more explosions on Saturday, as Iran launched waves of retaliatory strikes in the Gulf following US and Israeli attacks.

An AFP correspondent in Manama heard at least two blasts, with journalists in Qatar reporting a new wave of explosions. Residents in Abu Dhabi also heard explosions.

Russia

The Russian Embassy in Iran advised Russian nationals to exit the country via Armenia or Azerbaijan after US and Israeli strikes. The attacks targeted Iranian leadership, escalating tensions in the Middle East, with Donald Trump saying the operation aimed to eliminate a US security threat and offer Iranians an opportunity to challenge their government.

Qatar, Saudi urge 'immediate halt' to escalation

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Saudi Arabia's de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Saturday urged a halt to escalation and return to dialogue after Iranian missiles targeted countries across the Gulf.

On a call "both sides emphasised the necessity of an immediate halt to any escalatory actions and a return to the dialogue table to preserve regional security and prevent a slide toward broader confrontations," the Qatari ruler's office said in a statement.

Iran says all sites involved are 'legitimate targets'

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday all sites involved in the Israeli and US strikes on Iran were "legitimate targets" for the Islamic republic's armed forces.

"The Iranian armed forces consider as legitimate targets the sites from which the US and Zionist operations were carried out as well as the sites of all actions against Iran's defensive operations," Araghchi said on Iranian TV.

Kuwait intercepts missiles targeting US Base

Kuwait's defence ministry said its forces intercepted missiles targeting a military base hosting US and other foreign personnel, as Iran wages retaliatory strikes on US assets in the Gulf after US and Israeli attacks.

"Ali Al Salem Air Base was targeted by a number of ballistic missiles. This morning, the Kuwaiti Air Defence Force successfully intercepted them," said defence ministry spokesman Colonel Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan.

France warns escalation must stop

French President Emmanuel Macron said the current escalation posed a broad risk.

“The current escalation is dangerous for everyone,” Macron said. “It must stop.”

Saudi Arabia condemns regional violations

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the kingdom “condemns and denounces in the strongest terms” what it described as Iranian aggression and violations of the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan.

In a statement, Saudi Arabia said it stands in “full solidarity” with the affected countries and is prepared to place its capabilities at their disposal in support of any measures they may take. The statement also warned of “grave consequences” arising from continued breaches of state sovereignty and international law.

Pakistan urges diplomacy

Pakistan’s Foreign Office said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar received a call from Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. The two discussed the evolving situation in Iran and the wider region.

According to the statement, Dar “strongly condemned the unwarranted attacks against Iran” and called for an immediate halt to escalation. He urged the urgent resumption of diplomacy to achieve what Pakistan described as a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the crisis.

Military posture and planning

Israeli officials said the operation followed months of joint planning with Washington.

Ahead of earlier US-Iran talks in Geneva, the United States had expanded its military presence in the region, deploying additional aircraft, warships and troops as part of an effort to pressure Tehran diplomatically. US officials said the buildup added more than 10,000 American service members to the region.

Trump addresses Iranians

More than an hour after the strikes began, Trump issued a public statement confirming US involvement in what he described as “major combat operations.”

In a video message posted on social media, Trump said the decision was driven by broader concerns beyond Iran’s nuclear program, citing decades of hostility since the 1979 revolution. He urged civilians to seek safety and later called on Iranians to challenge their leadership.

“When we are finished, take over your government,” Trump said. “It will be yours to take.”

The message followed Trump’s public frustration a day earlier over stalled negotiations aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Iranian retaliation and regional alerts

Bahrain said a missile attack targeted the headquarters of the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet. Witnesses in Kuwait reported hearing sirens and explosions, and blasts were also reported in Qatar, where the Al Udeid Air Base hosts thousands of U.S. personnel.

Iraq and the United Arab Emirates temporarily closed their airspace, while warning sirens were heard in Jordan.

In northern Israel, an apartment building was damaged and shrapnel fell in several areas, according to police and local media. Israeli military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said there were no significant direct hits, and emergency services reported no injuries from the missile barrages.

Iranian-aligned Houthi officials in Yemen said the group intends to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and on Israel. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity, citing the absence of a formal announcement by the group’s leadership.

Explosions reported in Tehran

Israel confirmed launching strikes shortly after explosions were reported in Tehran early Saturday. One impact was reported near offices associated with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His location was not immediately known, and there was no public appearance reported in recent days.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the operation was conducted “to remove threats.” An official briefed on the planning said Iranian military facilities, symbols of government authority and intelligence-related sites were among the targets. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic details.

Air-raid sirens sounded across Israel as authorities warned residents of potential incoming missile fire.

- This live blog will continue to be updated with confirmed developments, official statements and casualty assessments as they emerge.