The United States and Israel launched a major military attack on Iran on Saturday, dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East. President Donald Trump vowed to devastate Iran’s military forces, eliminate the country’s nuclear program, and push for a change in government, signaling one of the most aggressive U.S. foreign policy moves in recent years.
Powerful explosions rocked Tehran, Iran’s capital, as thick smoke was seen rising from districts that include the presidential palace. Residents described scenes of panic and confusion, with civilians rushing to seek shelter, locate family members, or flee the city amid fears of further airstrikes. The attacks on Tehran mark a significant escalation in the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict and raise concerns about broader regional instability.
Videos verified by The New York Times show a missile strike targeting U.S. Navy base in Bahrain early Saturday morning. Bahraini authorities confirmed that a center at the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet was hit during the attack. The strike on a key American military facility highlights the widening scope of the conflict and the increasing risk of a larger Middle East war involving multiple nations.
Across Israel, air raid sirens sounded as Iranian missile strikes were launched in retaliation for the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. Israelis rushed toward bomb shelters nationwide as emergency alerts warned of incoming missiles. Around 10:30 a.m., officials ordered residents in Jerusalem to shelter in place. Multiple explosions were heard over the city as air defense systems attempted to intercept Iranian missiles. A second warning was issued around 11:15 a.m., urging citizens to remain in protected areas.
The unfolding U.S. attack on Iran, combined with retaliatory Iranian missile strikes against Israel and U.S. military assets, signals a dangerous escalation in Middle East tensions. Global leaders are closely monitoring the rapidly developing situation as fears grow over a prolonged regional conflict that could have significant geopolitical and economic consequences.
