Tehran (QNN)- Iran says it is preparing a “crushing” response after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale joint attack on Saturday, targeting Tehran and several major cities.
Explosions rocked the capital, Tehran, and were also reported in Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Karaj. Residents shared videos online showing smoke rising from several locations as air defense systems activated across the country.
The head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, said Iran is preparing revenge and will deliver a “crushing response” against the Zionist regime.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the start of attacks on Iran.
His statement marked a dramatic escalation in tensions in the Middle East, as Washington openly acknowledged direct involvement in the strikes.
Israel’s Ministry of Defense said the country carried out "a preemptive strike" against Iran. According to Israeli Army Radio, a military source claimed that part of the first wave of airstrikes targeted “senior figures,” and authorities are still verifying the results.
The same source claimed that the initial phase focused on high-ranking individuals, though officials have not yet confirmed casualties.
IRNA reported, citing a source in the Iranian presidency, that President Masoud Pezeshkian is safe and in good health.
Israeli Channel 12 reported, citing unnamed sources, that Israel struck dozens of targets "linked to the Iranian government."
Meanwhile, The New York Times quoted Israeli officials as saying the joint targets include prominent figures inside Iran. They described the operation as wide-ranging and said it could continue for several days.
Iranian state media also reported cyberattacks targeting major news agencies. The official news agency Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) and the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) said they faced hacking attempts and cyber intrusions amid the military escalation.
Iran’s Ministry of Health declared a state of emergency in all hospitals in Tehran and other cities hit by the strikes. Authorities mobilized ambulances and dispatched them to explosion sites as rescue teams worked to assess damage and casualties.
