Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been relocated to a secure location outside Tehran on Saturday as Israeli and US military strikes hit Iran’s capital and other strategic sites, officials told international news agencies.

Blasts were reported in central Tehran early Saturday, including near the offices of the 86-year-old leader, prompting Iranian authorities to move him out of the city as a precautionary safety measure, an unnamed official told Reuters.

The precise location of Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly in recent days, has not been disclosed; Iranian state media and authorities have not confirmed further details of his status.

Coordinated strikes escalate Middle East tensions

Israel said it had launched a pre-emptive military attack on Iran on Saturday, describing the operation as necessary to “remove threats” to Israeli security. Explosions and smoke were reported across Tehran shortly after the offensive began.

Iran’s airspace was shut down, and mobile communications were disrupted, according to local reports. Sirens also wailed across Israel as authorities prepared for any potential Iranian retaliation.

A US military official,  speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that American forces were participating in the strikes, marking a dramatic escalation in hostilities between Washington, Jerusalem, and Tehran.

Context of the conflict

The attack comes amid intensified tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel, largely over Tehran’s nuclear programme and ballistic missile development, despite weeks of negotiations. Both Israel and US officials have warned that further military action would be taken if Iran did not curb its programmes.

Regional capitals and neighboring airspaces have seen widespread closures and emergency alerts, and global markets reacted sharply to news of the strike.

Safety measures and global response

With the situation evolving rapidly, international governments have urged calm and protection for civilians, while world leaders monitor developments.

So far, there have been no verified independent reports of casualties among senior Iranian leadership, and Khamenei’s relocation is believed to be a precautionary step in response to the unfolding military events.