The US and Israel launched an attack Saturday on Iran, with the first apparent strike happening near the Tehran offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranian media reported strikes nationwide, and smoke could be seen rising from the capital.
US President Donald Trump said in a video posted on social media that the US had begun "major combat operations in Iran".
He claimed Iran has continued to develop its nuclear programme and plans to develop missiles to reach the United States and appealed to the Iranian people to "take over your government — it will be yours to take".
It wasn’t immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei had been in his offices at the time. 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 programme.
Iran has said it hasn’t enriched since June, but it has blocked international inspectors from visiting the sites America bombed during a 12-day war then. Satellite photos analysed by The Associated Press have shown new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there.
Iran currently has a self-imposed limit on its ballistic missile programme, limiting their range to 2000 kilometres. That puts all the Mideast and some of eastern Europe in their range. There is no public evidence of Iran seeking to have intercontinental ballistic missiles, though Washington has criticised its space programme as potentially allowing it to one day.
Roads to Khamenei’s compound in downtown Tehran had been shut down by authorities as other blasts rang out across the capital. Neighbouring Iraq closed its airspace, according to the Ministry of Transport.
Targets in the Israeli campaign included Iran’s military, symbols of government and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information on the attack.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done “to remove threats.” He did not immediately elaborate.
Trump had wanted a deal to constrain Iran’s nuclear programme, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Iran had hoped to avert a war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile programme or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
It wasn't immediately clear if Iran would immediately strike back, but it had warned that American military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targets for any retaliation.
Several hospitals in Israel launched their emergency protocols, including moving patients and surgeries to underground facilities.
In Tehran, witnesses heard the first blast by Khamenei's office. 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.
Advice for New Zealanders in Iran
The latest advice for New Zealanders in Iran was posted on the SafeTravel website.
"The security situation in the Middle East remains unpredictable. A significant military build-up in the region has created further uncertainty in recent weeks. Some governments have withdrawn officials from the region. If you are in a location that we advise against all travel to (Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen), you should leave now," the website read.
"New Zealanders in the Middle East, including those travelling through transit hubs, should monitor local media for updates and follow the advice of local authorities. Transportation, particularly flights, may be disrupted at short notice.
"Volatility in region means that further changes to our travel advice could happen at any time. This may affect your travel insurance coverage. If you are concerned about the situation, you should speak with your travel agent or insurer."
Additional reporting by 1News.
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