Smoke and shock: Visuals surface showing Israeli strike on Tehran

Tehran: Social media platforms are flooded with videos and images purportedly showing explosions and smoke rising in Tehran, Iran’s capital, following an Israeli military strike early Saturday.

These visuals, widely shared on X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms, appear to show blasts and fire in central parts of the city as tensions escalate between Israel and Iran.

In footage circulating online, thick plumes of smoke can be seen over busy streets. Witnesses and correspondents also reported hearing explosions across the city as the attack unfolded.

Also read | Khamenei targeted? Israeli strike hits area near supreme leader’s offices in Tehran

Iranian state media acknowledged the blasts in Tehran but has offered limited details on the cause or extent of damage. It is not yet clear whether the videos are all authentic or if some have been misattributed, as misinformation has been prevalent in past Iran–Israel clashes, with deepfakes and outdated footage circulating widely online.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done “to remove threats.” He did not immediately elaborate.

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In Tehran, witnesses heard the first blast by Khamenei's office. Iranian state television later reported on the explosion, without offering a cause.

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.”

More explosions struck Iran’s capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities have offered no casualty information from the strikes.

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.