itstargetnews
TOPSHOT – Thick smoke was reportedly billowing after an explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. (AFP photo source: Getty Images)
– |AFP|Getty Images
A U.S. official confirmed that U.S. forces struck Iran, Reuters reported on Saturday.
Earlier, Israel launched a daytime attack on the Iranian capital on Saturday, sending thick smoke rising from the center, the Associated Press reported.
It’s unclear what the goal is. But the attack comes as the United States has assembled a massive fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region in an attempt to pressure Iran. reached an agreement on its nuclear program.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the attack was to “eliminate the threat.” He did not immediately elaborate.
In Tehran, witnesses heard explosions. Iranian state television later reported the explosion but did not explain the cause.
Sirens sounded simultaneously across Israel. The Israeli military said it had issued an “active alert to prepare the public for possible missile launches into Israel.”
The U.S. military declined immediate comment on the attack.
President Donald Trump warned in early February that “very bad thingThat will happen unless Tehran agrees to a deal on the future of its nuclear program. The attack follows a massive buildup of military assets in the oil-rich Middle East.
The United States and Iran held a third round of talks in Switzerland on Thursday to try to resolve the impasse.
Ahead of the discussion, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio said Iran’s reluctance to talk about its ballistic missile development program as well as its nuclear program was a “very, very big problem.” Iran has said it is willing to compromise on its nuclear program but has repeatedly said Tehran’s missile program was never part of the talks agenda.
There had been signs that Washington was losing patience with Iran after the White House said after previous talks that Iran had not met its core demands.
This combination of images created on April 9, 2025, shows U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff (left) after meeting with Russian officials at the Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 18, 2025; Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks during an interview with AFP at the Iranian Consulate in Jeddah on March 7, 2025.
Evelyn Hochstein | Amir al-Khilabi | AFP | Getty Images
In early February, Iran It is said In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Tehran said it would respond “decisively” if it suffered military aggression.
Energy market players have been keeping a close eye on escalating geopolitical tensions, with oil prices rising Climbs to six-month high In the wake of Trump, there are concerns about a possible supply shock.
Iran is a founding member of OPEC and a major oil producer. It is located in the heart of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes.
In June last year, the United States strike Iran’s three nuclear facilities caused the situation shown by intelligence severely damaged Tehran’s nuclear program. Iran responded A retaliatory attack on a U.S. air base in Qatar reportedly caused minor damage but no casualties.
This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.
