Israel Attacks Iran LIVE Updates: ‘High-risk, high-reward’ - Trump briefed on dangers ahead of Iran attack

Ahead of the US strike on Iran, President received intelligence briefings warning of potential heavy US casualties, a US official told .

Officials described the planned operation as a “high-risk, high-reward” scenario, with the potential to trigger a generational shift in the Middle East in favor of US interests.

The decision marked what officials called the riskiest US military action since the 2003 Iraq invasion. (Reuters)

“China is highly concerned about the US and Israel’s military strikes against Iran,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

“China calls for an immediate cessation of military operations, to avoid further escalation of tensions, to resume dialogue and negotiations, and to safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is expected to speak “within minutes,” according to Iran’s Al-Alam TV, hours after joint US and Israeli strikes targeted top Iranian leaders, including areas near his offices.

Israeli and US forces struck key sites in Iran early on Saturday, with the status and whereabouts of Khamenei still unclear.

Some reports indicate he was moved to a secure location prior to the attack, though confirmation of his current location has not been publicly verified. (Reuters)

Oil majors and trading houses have suspended crude and fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating US-Israel strikes on Iran and fears of retaliation.

Several tankers are idling near the Gulf of Oman, though some vessels continue to transit the key waterway, raising concerns over global oil and LNG supply disruptions. (Media reports)

United Kingdom, France and Germany called for the resumption of US-Iran negotiations amid escalating tensions.

Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz said their countries did not take part in the strikes on Iran.

The leaders said they remain in close contact with the United States, Israel and regional partners. (AP)

India expressed deep concern over the escalating situation in the Middle East following strikes involving Iran and regional actors.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected.

India called for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. The MEA urged all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise civilian safety.

Indian missions in the region are in touch with the Indian community and have issued advisories asking them to remain vigilant.

A commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, identified as Jabari, said Tehran had so far fired only its “scrap missiles” and would soon unveil “unforeseen weapons,” according to Reuters citing Iranian state TV.

Earlier, the Revolutionary Guards said they had struck Israeli and US bases with Iranian missiles and warned the retaliatory campaign would continue until the enemy was “decisively defeated.”

Iran declared that all US bases, resources and interests in the region are now considered legitimate targets.

In response, Israel said its air defense systems intercepted missiles over Jerusalem and central Israel on February 28 after the military detected launches from Iran.

At least 40 people were reported killed in a strike on a girls’ school in southern Iran, according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

The attack took place in Minab, located in Hormozgan province.

At least 45 others were reported wounded in the strike. (AP)

Badr Al Busaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Oman, wrote on X: "I am dismayed. Active and serious negotiations have yet again been undermined. Neither the interests of the United States nor the cause of global peace are well served by this. And I pray for the innocents who will suffer. I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war."

Badr Albusaidi had met with JD Vance just hours before the strikes, expressing optimism that “peace is within our reach.”

Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported that the joint Israeli-US strikes targeted Iran’s top leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian.

A journalist on air also said, as per AFP, that Ali Shamkhani, adviser to Khamenei and former defence minister, was among those targeted.

The broadcaster did not provide confirmation of the outcomes.

The Israel Defense Forces said it carried out simultaneous strikes on multiple sites in Tehran early Saturday, claiming that senior Iranian political-security officials had gathered at the locations.

“The attack this morning was carried out simultaneously at several sites in Tehran, where senior officials in Iran's political-security echelon had gathered,” the military said in a statement posted on X.

In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has urged all Indian nationals in Israel to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times.

French President Emmanuel Macron called the US-Israeli strikes on Iran an "outbreak of war" that "carries serious consequences for international peace and security." He said France will call for an "urgent meeting" of the United Nations Security Council.

France also stands ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners at their request, he said further.

A satellite image captured by Airbus showed several damaged buildings in the compound of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following the US-Israeli strikes. The fate of Khamenei is unclear, but some reports say that he was moved to a safe location.

Norway’s foreign minister argues that the strikes on Iran broke international law, calling for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

“The attack is described by Israel as a pre-emptive strike, but it is not in accordance with international law. A pre-emptive attack would require the existence of an imminent threat,” Espen Barth Eide said in an email to AFP.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry called the strikes “a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state,” demanding an immediate halt to the military campaign and a return to diplomacy.

In a statement posted to Telegram, the ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of “hiding behind” concerns about Iran’s nuclear program while pursuing regime change, warning the attacks risked triggering a “humanitarian, economic, and possibly radiological catastrophe” in the region and accusing the United States and Israel of “plunging the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation.”

Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the US-Israeli attacks on the country, calling them a violation of territorial integrity and national sovereignty. It also pointed out that the attacks were carried out as Iran and the United States were in the midst of a diplomatic process.

Indonesia’s foreign ministry has said that President Prabowo Subianto is prepared to mediate between Washington and Tehran, following US-Israel strikes against Iran.

“Indonesia deeply regrets the failure of negotiations between the US and Iran, which has resulted in military escalation in the Middle East. Indonesia calls on all parties to exercise restraint and to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy,” the foreign ministry wrote on X.

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, also known as ICNA, has condemned the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, calling them totally irresponsible.

“These attacks are totally irresponsible and risk provoking further escalation as well as increasing the danger of nuclear proliferation and the use of nuclear weapons,” ICNA executive director Melissa Parke said. “Military action is not a viable or long-term solution to prevent nuclear proliferation. All military action must stop immediately.”

The Israeli Military has said that around 35 ballistic missiles have been launched from Iran since Saturday morning.

Kuwait has condemned the Iranian attacks on its soil, calling them a flagrant violation of its airspace and international law.

Kuwait's Foreign Ministry also said the country reserves the right to respond in a manner that is “commensurate with the scale and nature of this attack” and warned that further military activity would undermine the region’s stability.

Qatar’s Defense Ministry said the military has successfully repelled the second wave of attacks that targeted several parts of the nation.

Earlier, the Foreign Ministry condemned the Iranian attacks on Qatar, calling them a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty.

Iran’s IRGC has said that its operation targeting US bases across the Middle East will continue relentlessly until the enemy is decisively defeated.

The IRNA news agency has reported an explosion in Zanjan, northwest Iran.

Basij militia, which is linked to Iran’s IRGC has reportedly begun patrolling in Tehran, in an attempt to quell possible anti-government protests amid the US-Israeli attacks in the country, the semiofficial Fars news agency, reported.

The Israeli military said it detected a new launch of ballistic missiles from Iran, with sirens expected to sound in southern Israel. Residents receiving alerts were instructed to enter bomb shelters. The IDF said its air defense systems are working to shoot down the projectiles.

Al Jazeera is reporting multiple explosions in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Syria’s civil aviation authority announced the closure of airspace in southern Syria on Saturday.

Iran called on the United Nations Security Council to convene an urgent meeting on Saturday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said.

Several senior commanders of the Revolutionary Guards and political officials were killed in US-Israeli strikes, an Iranian source close to the establishment told Reuters on Saturday.

AFP is reporting that explosions have been heard near the US consulate in Iraq's Erbil. There are also reports of a missile attack at Erbil International Airport, housing US military.

Lufthansa Group has suspended all flight services to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport through March 7, citing the “current situation in the Middle East.” The German group, whose carriers also include SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings, says it has cancelled all flights across the Middle East.

WAM, the United Arab Emirates’ state-run news agency, has confirmed that one person was killed by falling debris after air defenses intercepted Iranian missiles targeting sites in Abu Dhabi.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Saturday said its armed forces have began a “crushing response” to the U.S. and Israeli attacks on the country.

“The enemy believes that the resilient Iranian nation will surrender to their petty demands through such cowardly actions,” the council said in a statement.

The Ben Gurion Airport in Jerusalem will remain closed at least until Monday. Israeli carrier Israir said all of its flights to and from Israel have been canceled through Monday morning.

Turkish Airlines has announced that flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan have been suspended till March 2nd.

The United States has named its sweeping strikes against Iranian military targets "Operation Epic Fury," the Pentagon said Saturday.

Germany was informed in advance about Israel’s military strikes on Iran, AP, quoting a spokesman for the German executive, said on Saturday. The spokesperson added that the German government is monitoring developments closely and is in close consultation with its European partners.

The German government’s crisis management team is scheduled to meet today at noon to discuss the situation in Iran. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has already consulted with relevant ministers and will have further talks on Saturday.

The US State Department has urged American citizens in Iran to shelter in place 'until further notice' due to ongoing military operations.

Qatar Airways on Saturday announced the temporary suspension of its flights to and from Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace.

“The airline is working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support impacted passengers and will resume operations when the airspace re-opens,” Qatar Airways said in a statement.

Multiple explosions were heard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, AFP reported.

Iran’s Fars news agency on Saturday said the country’s missile attacks have targeted the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, and the fifth US base in Bahrain.

“The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemy’s military assault,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry said in a post on X.

“Just as we were prepared for negotiations, we have been even more prepared for defense at all times. The armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will decisively respond to the aggressors with full authority.”

Multiple loud explosions were heard in Doha, Qatar, Al Jazeera has reported. Earlier, Qatar’s defence ministry said all missiles launched from Iran were intercepted.

The Iranian Interior Ministry on Saturday warned potential anti-government protesters that it will "preserve order and peace".

“The criminal enemy, once again, in violation of all international laws and in the middle of negotiation, has assaulted our dear nation. The Ministry of Interior is committed to using its full capacity to preserve order and peace in society and provide services to the people,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham described the US-Israeli strike on Iran as necessary and long justified

"The end of the largest state sponsor of terrorism is upon us."

"This operation is necessary and long justified," Graham said.

According to Al Jazeera, explosions have been reported from Abu Dhabi, UAE, Manama, Bahrain and Kuwait in apparent Iranian retaliatory strikes.

AP, citing witnesses, reported sirens and explosions in Kuwait on Saturday, home to U.S. Army Central. There was no immediate word on any damage from the blasts. Mobile alerts have been sent out to residents in Qatar, urging people to seek shelter.

Indian aviation major Air India said that its Delhi-Tel Aviv flight has been diverted to Mumbai amid closure of the Israeli airspace.

In a post on social media platform X, IndiGo say that the airline is “closely monitoring regional updates”. read full story here

A loud explosion has been reported from the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, Reuters has reported.