The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on targets across Iran on Saturday, escalating tensions in the region. In a public statement, US President Donald Trump called on Iranians to “take over your government,” remarks that appeared to signal support for political change in Tehran.
Among the sites reportedly hit was a compound linked to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in central Tehran. It was not immediately clear whether he was present. Smoke was seen rising from parts of the capital as emergency teams responded.
Meanwhile, residents described panic in several cities. Long queues formed at petrol stations and some families began leaving urban areas. A man in Tehran said he rushed to collect his children from school as explosions were heard nearby, the NDTV World reported.
“We are scared. My children are shaking,” said Minou, a 32-year-old mother of two from Tabriz, where blasts were also reported. “What is going to happen to my children?” an eyewitness said, as reported by the NDTV World.
Iran condemned the strikes and said it would respond “decisively,” despite ongoing discussions over its nuclear programme.
Russia criticised the attacks, calling them an act of aggression and urging an immediate halt to military action. Moscow warned that striking nuclear facilities under international safeguards was unacceptable and said the situation risked serious humanitarian and economic consequences.
In Lebanon, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the country would not be dragged into war. His remarks came amid concerns that Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, could become involved.
“I reiterate that we will not accept anyone dragging the country into adventures that threaten its security and unity,” Salam said.
President Joseph Aoun also stressed that protecting Lebanon’s stability was a top priority as the situation continued to unfold.
Meanwhile, ICRC president Mirjana Spoljaric said in a statement,”the military escalation in the Middle East is igniting a dangerous chain reaction across the region, with potentially devastating consequences for civilians,” Spoljaric said in a statement.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, said, “the Government of Indonesia… expresses its readiness to facilitate dialogue to restore a conducive security condition and, if agreed by both parties, the President of Indonesia is prepared to travel to Tehran to carry out mediation.”
