The US and Israel launched a major attack on targets across the board Iran on Saturday, and the US president Donald Trump he called on the Iranian people to “take over your government” – an extraordinary appeal that suggested the allies may want to end the country’s theocracy after decades of tension.

The first strikes appeared to be aimed at the compound where 86-year-old Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lives in central Tehran. It was not immediately clear if he was there at the time. Smoke could be seen rising from the Iranian capital.

“For 47 years, the Iranian regime has shouted Death to America and waged an endless campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and innocent people in many, many countries,” Trump said in a video posted on social media in which he tried to justify the attacks. He urged Iranians to take cover during the attack, but then said: “When we’re done, take over your government. You will be taken over.”

The attack quickly spread beyond Iran. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guards said it responded by launching a “first wave” of drones and missiles targeting Israel, where a nationwide alert was issued as the military said it would deflect Iranian fire.

Meanwhile, Bahrain said the missile attack targeted the US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom. Witnesses heard sirens and explosions in Kuwait, where the US Army Headquarters is located. Explosions could also be heard in Qatar.

Iraq and the United Arab Emirates closed their airspace, and sirens sounded in Jordan.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis, meanwhile, have vowed to continue attacks on Red Sea shipping routes and Israel, according to two senior Houthi officials. They spoke on condition of anonymity because there has been no official announcement from the Houthi leadership.

Iran’s foreign ministry issued a defiant statement, saying the country “will not hesitate” in its response. In a statement released on X, the ministry said, “The time has come to defend the homeland and counter the enemy’s military attack.”

Tensions have risen in recent weeks as US warships have moved into the region and Trump has said he wants a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program. He saw an opportunity as the country at home grapples with growing dissent following nationwide protests.

On Saturday, Trump said in a video that the US had begun “major combat operations in Iran.” Trump claimed that Iran continued to develop its nuclear program and plans to develop missiles to reach the US. He acknowledged that there could be American casualties after an attack on Iran, saying “that happens a lot in war.”

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But Trump’s statement suggests the US is attacking for reasons far beyond the nuclear program, citing grievances stretching back to the Islamic Republic’s inception after a 1979 revolution that turned Iran from one of America’s closest allies in the Middle East to a bitter enemy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – who considers Iran his greatest enemy – said the joint strike was to “remove the existential threat” posed by Iran.

“Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands,” Netanyahu said.

Targets in the Israeli campaign included Iran’s military, government symbols and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss non-public information about the attack.

Iran had hoped to avert war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and is unwilling to discuss other issues, such as its long-range missile program or support for armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

Iran has said it has not been enriched since June, but has blocked international inspectors from visiting sites bombed by America during the then 12-day war. Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press showed new activity at two of those sites, suggesting Iran is trying to assess and potentially recover material there.

Iran currently has a self-imposed cap on its ballistic missile program, limiting their range to 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles). This puts the entire Middle East and part of Eastern Europe within their reach. There is no public evidence that Iran wants to have intercontinental ballistic missiles, although Washington has criticized its space program as one day it may allow it.

Hours after the attack, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guards said it launched the “first wave” of drones and missiles targeting Israel. He vowed to respond if attacked, including saying that US military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targeted.

The explosions rocked Israel as the country worked to intercept incoming Iranian missiles. There was no immediate information on any damage or casualties in the ongoing attack.

Several hospitals in Israel have initiated their own emergency protocols, including moving patients and surgeries to underground facilities.

US embassies or consulates in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Israel posted on social media that they had told staff to shelter in place and recommended that all Americans “do the same until further notice”.

Iranian media reported attacks across the country. Authorities closed roads to Khamenei’s compound in central Tehran as other explosions rocked the capital.

In Tehran, witnesses heard the first explosion near Khamenei’s office. Iranian state television later reported the explosion, without specifying the cause.

Multiple explosions hit Iran’s capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities did not offer information on casualties in the strikes.

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Toropin reported from Washington and Boak from West Palm Beach, Florida. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman and Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel contributed to this report.

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