Zionist forces launch pre-emptive strike on Iran, escalating Middle East tensions
The Zionist forces launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran on Saturday, pushing the Middle East into a renewed military confrontation and further dimming hopes for diplomacy.
The United States is participating, though it was not immediately clear the full extent of its involvement, according to a U.S. official and a person familiar with the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive military operations.
Meanwhile, an official told Reuters that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not in Tehran and has been transferred to a secure location.
Iranian state media reported that explosions were heard in Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, Kermanshah, and Tabriz.
This comes as the U.S. and Iran renewed negotiations in February in a bid to resolve the decades-long dispute through diplomacy and avert the threat of a military confrontation that could destabilise the region.
Iran said it was prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for lifting sanctions but ruled out linking the issue to missiles.
Tehran also said it would defend itself against any attack, warning neighbouring countries that host U.S. troops that it would retaliate against American bases if Washington struck Iran.
