Explosions rock Tehran after Israeli strike; Iran shuts airspace

Tehran witnessed a series of explosions early Saturday following what Israeli officials described as a military strike targeting threats inside Iran, escalating tensions between the two regional rivals.

Videos  circulating widely on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), appeared to show blasts and thick plumes of smoke rising over central parts of the Iranian capital. Footage shared online captured smoke billowing above busy streets, while witnesses and local correspondents reported hearing multiple explosions across the city as the attack unfolded.

Iranian state media acknowledged that explosions had occurred in Tehran but provided limited details regarding the cause, scale of damage, or potential casualties. Authorities have not yet released official information about injuries or fatalities.

According to witnesses, one of the initial blasts was heard near the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. State television later confirmed an explosion in the area but did not specify the target or extent of impact.

On the Israeli side, Defence Minister Israel Katz said the operation was carried out “to remove threats,” without elaborating further on the nature of those threats or specific targets.

Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time. The Israeli military said that it had issued a “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel".

Meanwhile, Iran shut down its airspace after Israel launched an attack targeting the country. The warning to pilots came out as explosions rang out across Tehran, the Iranian capital.