The United States and Israel launched an attack Saturday on Iran, with the first apparent strike happening near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital.
President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the U.S. had begun "major combat operations in Iran." He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach U.S.
Here's the latest:
Explosions heard in Tehran near Intelligence Ministry
Witnesses living near the Intelligence Ministry building in Tehran tell The Associated Press that several explosions were heard in the vicinity of the facility. There has been no official statement on the incident in Iranian media so far. Witnesses also reported that air defense systems had begun operating in the area.
Oil price swings expected next week
Oil markets currently closed for the weekend are set to see price swings next week as the impact from the U.S. and Israeli strikes on oil supplies from the Middle East remains unclear.
Scenarios before the latest conflict with Iran foresaw a quick price spike that fades if the attacks didn't affect oil shipping and infrastructure such as Iranian pipelines and its Kharg island terminal.
However, there would be a bigger price spike and longer-lasting impact if oil infrastructure or supplies were interrupted, for instance because of disruption of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
UK calls on Iran to 'end this now'
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says that while the U.K. didn't participate in the attack on Iran, its planes provided air defense for its people and allies in the region.
"We've stepped up protections from British bases and personnel to their highest level," Starmer said.
The Iranian leadership is "utterly abhorrent," has killed its own people and destabilized the region and should never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, Starmer said.
"Iran can end this now," he said. "They should refrain from further strikes, give up their weapons program and cease the appalling violence and repression against the Iranian people."
Mideast governments condemn Iran
Across the Middle East, governments moved quickly to condemn Iran's strikes on Arab neighbors, while staying silent on earlier Israeli and U.S. attacks. Countries that maintain diplomatic ties with Israel - including Morocco, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates - denounced Iranian strikes targeting U.S. military bases including in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the Emirates.
The 22-nation Arab League - which has historically condemned both Israel and Iran for actions it says risk destabilizing the region - called the attacks "a blatant violation of the sovereignty of countries that advocate for peace and strive for stability."
Saudi Arabia said it "condemns and denounces in the strongest terms the treacherous Iranian aggression and the blatant violation of sovereignty."
The responses broadly mirrored Western reactions, while setting Middle Eastern powers apart from China and Russia's quick condemnation of the U.S.-Israeli action.
Iran continues to fire missiles at Israel
Israel's military say that that "dozens" of missiles have been fired by Iran at Israel. While many have been intercepted and no serious injuries have been reported, the missile barrages were continuing after sundown Saturday. Israel's military chief gave an address on national TV warning that the defenses are not "hermetic" and the public should obey safety instructions and remain vigilant.
Iran calls for 'immediate action' from UN
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has written to the U.N. Security Council calling for the 15-member body to "take immediate action in response to this breach of international peace and security."
The council, which is currently under the presidency of the United Kingdom until midnight Saturday, is expected to hold an emergency meeting on Saturday.
Araghchi reiterated that Iran will continue to retaliate by all means necessary and that "all bases, facilities, and assets of the hostile forces in the region shall be regarded as legitimate military objectives."
EU to hold emergency security meeting on Monday
The European Union will hold an emergency security meeting on Monday over the conflict in the Middle East, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"For regional security and stability, it is of the utmost importance that there is no further escalation through Iran's unjustified attacks on partners in the region," she said on a Saturday in a social media post.
UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting
The U.N. Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting on the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran.
Israel's U.N. Mission says the meeting will take place at 4 p.m. EST (2100 GMT) at the request of Bahrain and France.
Israel's U.N. ambassador Danny Danon said Israel "is strong, united and determined to defend its citizens against any existential threat." Danon also said that "Israel will never allow an Iranian nuclear state."
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has condemned the strikes on Iran and the Islamic Republic's retaliation.
"The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security," Guterres said in a statement. He also called for an immediate ceasefire and for all parties to return to the negotiating table.
Iran's supreme leader and its president are alive - minister says
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi tells NBC News that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian are alive "as far as I know."
US Congress was notified before strike, source says
Congress was notified before the strikes on Iran, as required by law.
The notifications mentioned ballistic missiles, but didn't indicate that the strikes would be so expansive or the goals so broad, according to a person familiar with the notifications who requested anonymity to discuss them.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reached out personally to some top lawmakers.
Saudi Arabia says it repelled attack by Iran
Saudi Arabia said Iran targeted its capital and its eastern region in an attack.
The government reported the attack in an announcement on its state-run Saudi Press Agency. It called the attack "blatant and cowardly" and said it was repelled.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are longstanding rivals, but the country reached a Chinese-mediated detente with Iran in 2023.
Ukraine's president supports US-led strikes
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced support for US-led strikes on Iran, calling the country "an accomplice of Putin" for supplying Shahed drones and the technology for Moscow to produce them and other weapons in its four-year war against Ukraine.
"Over the course of this full-scale war, Russia has used more than 57,000 Shahed-type attack drones against the Ukrainian people, cities, and energy infrastructure. Other nations have also suffered from Iranian-backed terror. Therefore, it is fair to give the Iranian people a chance to rid themselves of a terrorist regime and to guarantee security for all nations that have suffered from terror originating in Iran," Zelenskyy said in a post on X.
The Ukrainian leader said the emphasis now should be to save as many lives as possible and prevent any expansion of the war.
"It is important that the United States is acting decisively. Whenever there is American resolve, global criminals weaken. This understanding must also come to the Russians," Zelenskyy said.
Iranian authorities make a highway one-way to help people leaving Tehran
Iran's state news agency IRNA has reported that authorities turned a major highway connecting Iran's capital with the country's north into a one-way route to accommodate traffic leaving Tehran.
The agency reported heavy traffic heading north out of the capital.
Iran's top national security body had earlier told residents they should consider leaving Tehran for their safety.
Canada's leader supports US action
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he supports the United States acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its government from further threatening international peace and security.
He says Canada is clear in its position that "the Islamic Republic of Iran is the principal source of instability and terror throughout the Middle East." Carney is also urging Canadians in Iran to shelter in place.
Flights are disrupted across the Middle East and beyond
The U.S. and Israel's attack on Iran is disrupting flights across the Middle East and beyond. Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar closed their airspace on Saturday. Airspace in southern Syria was also closed.
Some planes that were en route to cities like Tel Aviv and Dubai were diverted or returned to where they took off from.
The situation is changing quickly and airlines urged passengers to check their flight status online before heading to the airport. Many major airlines are canceling flights to and from parts of the region through Sunday or early next week.
Dubai's airport operator said flights have been halted indefinitely at Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest airport for international flights, and the Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport on the Gulf city's outskirts.
Russia condemns the US and Israeli strikes on Iran
Russia's Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran as "a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent U.N. member state."
It demanded an immediate halt to the military campaign and a return to diplomacy.
In a statement posted to Telegram, the ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of "hiding behind" concerns about Iran's nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change.
It warned the attacks risked triggering a "humanitarian, economic and possibly radiological catastrophe" in the region and accused the U.S. and Israel of "plunging the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation."
British prime minister holds emergency meeting
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired a meeting of the government's emergency committee on Saturday morning and planned to hold calls with allies in the coming hours.
"We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict," a U.K. government spokesperson said, reiterating Britain's support for a negotiated solution to Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Britain was not involved in the U.S.-Israeli strikes.
The U.K.'s Foreign Office also updated its travel advice to warn against all travel to Israel and Palestine, and urged British nationals in other Middle Eastern countries to "immediately shelter in place."
Iranians stock up on supplies
In northern Tehran, supermarkets are seeing a surge of customers seeking bread and bottled water. However, supply has been limited, and some of the items most in demand - including bread, eggs, bottled water and milk - are currently unavailable in certain stores.
Long queues have also been observed at gas stations across the city.
State television showed footage from one of Tehran's highways, Soleimani highway, where extremely heavy traffic was visible on west-to-east routes.
EU calls for restraint and diplomacy
European Union leaders issued a joint statement Saturday calling for restraint and engaging in regional diplomacy in hopes of "ensuring nuclear safety."
"Ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. "We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law."
Both said that the EU has pushed to resolve critical issues through diplomacy but also has in place "extensive sanctions in response to the actions of Iran's murderous regime and the Revolutionary Guards."
They said Brussels was working with the EU's 27 member nations to support the bloc's citizens in the Middle East.
France advises its citizens to exercise caution
France, whose military has bases and a regular presence in the Mideast, has called on French citizens in the region to exercise extreme caution.
"A military escalation is underway ... It's not the time for negotiations. We are in a situation of war," junior Defense Minister Alice Rufo told France-2 television Saturday, comparing the situation to the 12-day war in June.
"Our priority is the protection of our citizens and protection of our forces in the region," she said.
Asked if French forces were involved in the U.S. and Israeli strikes or targeted in retaliatory strikes, French military spokesperson Col. Guillaume Vernet said: "The French armed forces continuously adapt their posture to threats and implement measures to ensure the surveillance and protection of military installations where French soldiers are deployed."
He would not elaborate.
"Our military presence guarantees France's independent assessment of the situation," he told the AP.
Israeli president salutes attacks on Iran
Israel's President Isaac Herzog has welcomed the joint U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran.
Herzog says he hopes the operation "will bring a historic change and a better future for the whole Middle East and the entire world."
Khamenei's whereabouts unknown
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei did not made a public appearance in the days before the attack and hasn't been immediately seen after. During the 12-day war in June, he was believed to have been taken to a secure location away from his Tehran compound.
Qatar says it repels second wave of Iranian attacks
Qatar's Defense Ministry says the military has successfully repelled the second wave of Iranian attacks that targeted several parts of the nation.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks, calling them a "flagrant violation" of its sovereignty. It added that Qatar has been always among the sides calling for a dialogue with Iran.
The Foreign Ministry said that the targeting of Qatar by a neighbor "cannot be accepted under any justification or pretext" as the gas-rich Gulf nation has always distanced itself from regional conflicts.
Iran says Israeli-US airstrikes kill 5 at girls' school
Iran on Saturday said Israeli-U.S. airstrikes in southern Iran killed five students at a girls' school, the first confirmed fatalities in the operation.
The state-run IRNA news agency reported the strike happened in Minab in Iran's Hormozgan province. Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has a base in the city.
Neither the U.S. nor Israel has offered any details on the campaign so far.
Iran confirms attacks on US sites
Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard says that in its retaliation against Israel and U.S. attacks on Iran, the military struck several facilities in the region.
The Revolutionary Guard said in a statement that in the first phase of retaliation, named "Truthful Promise 4," Iran's military struck the command of the U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain as well as U.S. bases in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and military targets in Israel.
There have been no reports of damage in these areas apart from one death in the United Arab Emirates.
The Guard said Iranian attacks with missiles and drones are continuing and more information will be released later.
Bahrain condemns Iranian attack on US fleet
Bahrain's ambassador in the U.S. says attacks occurred against "sites within the Kingdom," without giving further details. Writing on X, Abdalla Al-Khalifa said the attacks were a "blatant violation of sovereignty."
Iran has apparently attacked the U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain in response to U.S.-Israeli attacks in Tehran. The Bahraini diplomat said that Bahrain "reserves the right to respond" to attack on its territory.
Qatar Airways suspends flights
Qatar Airways says it is temporarily suspending flights at its Doha hub because of the closure of the Gulf nation's airspace.
The airline says it is working with local authorities to support passengers affected by the stoppage, and that it expects delays once flights eventually resume. It did not predict when that might be.
Government-owned Qatar Airways is one of the Middle East's largest airlines, funneling tens of millions of mostly long-haul passengers through Qatar to destinations on six continents.
Iranian missile shrapnel kills 1 in UAE
Shrapnel from an Iranian missile attack on the capital of the United Arab Emirates killed one person Saturday, authorities in Dubai said.
The state-run WAM news agency reported the fatality, the first known in the Iranian counterattack after the United States and Israel launched a major airstrike campaign targeting Iran.
Attacks on Iran risk wider war and higher energy prices
Within hours of the joint U.S. and Israeli strike in Iran, Ali Vaez, who directs the Iran Project at the Crisis Group think tank, warned that the war could likely escalate.
Vaez on social media stressed that Iran had been preparing for the conflict and that wider war could break out across the Middle East.
He also stressed that the war could lead to higher energy costs, which would undercut one of Trump's domestic political messages that gasoline prices have been lower since his return to the White House.
"Iran sits along the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply passes," Vaez posted. "Even limited disruption could spike energy prices, fuel inflation, and rattle global markets."
EU calls Iran a threat to global security
The European Union's top diplomat called the conflict in the Middle East "perilous" and said she was working with Israel and Arab officials to pursue a negotiated peace.
"Iran's regime has killed thousands. Its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, along with support for terror groups, pose a serious threat to global security," said Kaja Kallas, foreign policy chief of the 27-nation bloc, in a post on social media.
She said the EU was evacuating some staff in the region and keeping in place a maritime mission in the Red Sea.
The EU recently put fresh sanctions on Iran and leading figures, prompting retaliatory sanctions by Tehran.
Turkish Airlines suspends flights
Turkish Airlines says it is suspending flights to multiple Middle Eastern countries. Flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan will be suspended till March 2, an official said on X.
Meanwhile flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE and Oman will suspended till Feb. 28. Further cancellations may be announced, the official said.
US 5th Fleet plays important role in securing shipping lanes
The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet command that host nation Bahrain said was targeted by a missile attack is responsible for securing the shipping lanes around the oil-rich Middle East.
Those waters include the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The region contains three key chokepoints: the Suez Canal and the Bab al-Mandeb on either end of the Red Sea, and the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to shut the strait if attacked. Iranian-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen have said they will resume attacks on shipping routes and on Israel.
The extent of the damage on the 5th Fleet headquarters wasn't immediately clear. The base is located just to the southeast of central Manama, the island nation's capital.
Drone strikes Iran-linked militia HQ in Iraq
A drone strike Saturday hit a headquarters of the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia in Iraq, in the Jurf al-Sakhar area southwest of Baghdad, killing at least two people and wounding four others, two militia officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.
There was not immediate comment from the U.S. or Israel.
Prior to Saturday's strikes on Iran, the group had threatened to join the fray should Iran be attacked.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hassan said in a statement that he received a call from his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, in while Araghchi said Iran would target U.S. bases in the region out of self-defense.
"He clarified that these attacks were not targeting the countries involved, but were limited to military sites," the statement said. It added that Hussein urged deescalation.