Joint attack was to 'remove an existential threat posed' by Iran: Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran launched on Saturday "will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands." 

Netanyahu said joint attack with US was to 'remove an existential threat posed' by Iran.

"The time has come for all sections of the people in Iran ... to remove the yoke of tyranny from (the regime) and bring a free and peace-loving Iran," Netanyahu said in a statement.

Trump appeals to Iranian people to 'take over your government'

US President Donald Trump on Saturday called on the Iranian people to take over the government.

He also said that US has begun "major combat operations in Iran" after Israel launched strikes.

Trump called the attacks on Iran "a noble mission," saying they were necessary because of Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and missile systems that could reach the US.

He called on Iranian officials to "lay down your arms" or "you will face certain death," and encouraged the Iranian people to "take over your government - it will be yours to take."

Missiles launched from Iran toward Israel: Israeli military

Missiles launched from Iran toward Israel, Israeli military says.

Explosions heard in northern Israel as country works to intercept incoming Iranian missiles.

US planning several days of attacks on Iran: Report

The United States is planning several days of attacks on Iran, CNN reported on Saturday, citing two sources.

An Israeli defence official said the operation had been planned for months in coordination with Washington, and that the launch date was decided weeks ago.

Iran was preparing a crushing retaliation, an Iranian official told Reuters.

'Exercise utmost caution': India issues advisory

India issued an advisory for its citizens in Israel to “exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times” after the country launched a joint attack with the US against Iran.

In its advisory, India said, “In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times.”

"Indian nationals are strongly advised to strictly adhere to the safety guidelines and instructions issued by the Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command," the post on X said.

Flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv diverted to Mumbai due to Israel airspace closure: Air India

Air India diverted its Delhi-Tel Aviv flight to Mumbai due to the closure of Israeli airspace.

"AI139 operating from Delhi to Tel Aviv on 28 February is returning to India due to closure of airspace in Israel and in the interest of safety of passengers and crew," the airline said in a statement.

An airline official said the flight has been diverted to Mumbai. "We will continue to assess the safety and security environment for our flight operations and adjust operations proactively as needed," Air India said.

The airline also regretted the inconvenience caused to passengers due to this unforeseen situation.

Passengers at Tel Aviv airport faced sudden evacuations, including those on Air India flight AI 140 to New Delhi. A passenger told PTI that they were instructed to “forget everything” and immediately rush to the bomb shelter.

In response to the evolving security situation, Air India announced it will suspend operations on the Tel Aviv–New Delhi sector from Sunday for a week.

Indigo says we are closely monitoring regional updates concerning Iran and its airspace.

Russia suspends flights to Iran and Israel

The Russian Ministry of Transport said on Saturday that Russian air carriers had suspended flights to Iran and Israel.

The ministry said that in connection with the closure of Iranian and Israeli airspace, Russian air carriers, in cooperation with the ministry and Rosaviatsiya aviation watchdog had worked out alternative flight routes in advance to ensure safe flights to the Persian Gulf countries.

Flight times will increase due to the longer distances, it said.

Donald Trump: Short time ago, US begin major combat operations in Iran

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States had begun "major combat operations" in Iran.

"Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," Trump said in a video shared on social media.

Trump to Islamic Revolutionary Guard: “You should lay down your arms. you will be treated fairly with total immunity, or you will face certain death.”

Donald Trump says Iran attempted to rebuild its nuclear programme. “We’re going to annihilate their navy,” he says.

Donald Trump: “We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.”

Trump acknowledges that there could be American casualties following Iran strikes, saying 'that often happens in war'.

US strikes on Iran being carried out by air, sea, official says

US strikes against Iran are being carried out by air and sea, a U.S. official told Reuters on Saturday.

Seven missiles hit the area in Tehran near the presidential palace and supreme leader Khamenei's compound, reports Iranian news agency Tasnim.

Tehran preparing for retaliation, Iranian official says

Tehran is preparing for retaliation after Israel launched an attack against Iran on Saturday, with the response set to be crushing, an Iranian official told Reuters.

Iraq shuts airspace as Israel launches strike on Iran

The Iraq transport ministry said on Saturday it closed national airspace after Israel launched what its defence minister said was a pre-emptive attack against Iran, the state news agency said.

US Embassy in Qatar implements shelter-in-place for all personnel

The U.S. Embassy in Qatar implemented shelter-in-place for all personnel, recommending that all of its citizens to do the same until further notice.

The move comes after Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran on Saturday.

Israel's operation against Iran was coordinated with US

The Israeli operation against Iran on Saturday was coordinated with the U.S., an Israeli defence official told Reuters.

The operation was planned for months and the launch date was decided weeks ago, the official added.

Israel closes airspace to civilian flights amid pre-emptive strike on Iran

Israel on Saturday closed its airspace to civilian flights following what the country’s defense minister described as a pre-emptive attack against Iran, the Israeli Airports Authority confirmed.

Passengers at Tel Aviv airport faced sudden evacuations, including those on Air India flight AI 140 to New Delhi. A passenger told PTI that they were instructed to “forget everything” and immediately rush to the bomb shelter.

In response to the evolving security situation, Air India announced it will suspend operations on the Tel Aviv–New Delhi sector from Sunday for a week.

The Israeli Airports Authority stated, “Israeli airspace will reopen and flights to and from Israel to resume as soon as the security situation allows,” while urging the public not to visit airports at this time.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as international airlines adjust schedules in response to the sudden closure.

Explosions rock Tehran near Iran Supreme Leader Khamenei’s offices

Israel launched a daylight attack Saturday on Iran's capital, with a cloud of smoke rising from Tehran’s downtown. The apparent strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The 86-year-old has been transferred to a secure location, an official told Reuters. 

He hasn't been seen publicly in days as tensions with the United States have grown. But the attack comes as the United States has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.

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

In Tehran, witnesses heard the blast. 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.

The US military declined to immediately comment on the attack.