A dark plume of smoke rises over Tehran on Saturday. Several explosions shake the city center, near the zone where the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is located. Two residents report heavy detonations, windows were said to have trembled, in Vanak people spoke of \u201cexplosions and war.\u201d Shortly thereafter, American and Israeli government officials confirm: The United States and Israel have attacked Iran. Defense Minister Israel Katz speaks of a strike and declares a state of emergency. Schools, workplaces and public gatherings in Israel are immediately closed, the airspace completely shut down. Incoming flights are diverted. Iran also closes its airspace. In Tehran, smoke rises from a district that houses not only the presidential palace but also the National Security Council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The attacks follow a massive U.S. military buildup in the region. Two aircraft carriers, several Navy destroyers and more than fifty fighter jets were deployed. It is the largest American troop presence there in decades. The buildup was explicitly intended to protect American bases, facilities and diplomatic sites against a possible counterstrike. U.S. officials had stated in advance that they expected swift Iranian retaliation, likely also missile attacks on American bases and embassies. In addition, Tehran\u2019s regional network of paramilitary forces is expected to target American interests in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Already in June of the previous year, the United States had bombed Iranian nuclear facilities. President Donald Trump declared at the time that the program had been \u201cobliterated,\u201d later it became clear that it had merely been weakened. The current strikes therefore mark the second U.S. action against Iran in less than a year. They also come at a time when Washington had launched a military operation in Venezuela only about two months ago to detain Nicol\u00e1s Maduro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As recently as Thursday, American and Iranian representatives had held indirect talks in Switzerland. A breakthrough did not materialize. Trump demanded restrictions on the nuclear program, limits on the missile arsenal and an end to support for groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Tehran insisted on its right to uranium enrichment. Iran outwardly sought to avoid war but refused to negotiate over additional issues such as its long range missile program or support for allied militias. Explosions are now also being reported from other Iranian cities. The semi official news agency Fars reports detonations in Qom, Kermanshah, Isfahan and Karaj. The picture thus extends beyond the capital. The region is under maximum tension. Threats have turned into open violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While explosions are reported in Tehran, Israel moves to the highest level of alert. Several hospitals prepare to transfer patients to protected areas or underground shelters. The Health Ministry orders the discharge of all non acute patients to free up capacity. The government openly anticipates Iranian retaliatory strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n