Iran’s skies empty after strikes as regional states close airspace

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said on Saturday that the country’s armed forces had begun a “crushing response” after US and Israeli air operations against sites in Tehran and other cities.

In its first statement following the attacks, the council said the strikes were carried out during negotiations and accused Washington and Israel of attempting to pressure Iran through military action.

It said operations by the United States and Israel could continue in Tehran and other cities, advising citizens to remain calm and, where possible, travel to other areas to avoid potential danger.

The council said the government had made prior arrangements to ensure supplies of essential goods and urged people to avoid crowding shopping centers.

It added that schools and universities would remain closed until further notice, government offices would operate at 50% capacity, and banks would continue providing services.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday condemned US and Israeli military aggression against the Islamic Republic, accusing Washington and Israel of launching airstrikes on defense infrastructure and civilian sites in several cities.

In a statement, the ministry said the attacks constituted a “flagrant violation” of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and breached Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

Tehran said the strikes took place while Iran and the United States were engaged in a diplomatic process, adding that it had entered negotiations despite doubts about US and Israeli intentions in order to demonstrate its commitment to avoiding war.

“The time has come to defend the homeland,” the statement said, adding that Iran’s armed forces would respond “with full power” under what it described as its legitimate right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

The ministry called on the United Nations and the Security Council to take immediate action over what it described as a clear act of armed aggression, and urged UN member states, particularly countries in the region and members of the Non-Aligned Movement, to condemn the strikes.

Bahrain activated air-raid sirens to warn of an Iranian attack on US military bases in the Persian Gulf state, the Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

Arabic media reported that the Iranian attack had begun, with explosions heard and smoke seen in the capital Manama.

The US Defense Department named its Iran mission “Operation Epic Fury,” announcing the title in a social media post.

The post marked the first public statement from the US military since the start of the joint US-Israeli attack, and was shared by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in all capital letters alongside an American flag.

The Israeli military instructed civilians to remain in bomb shelters until further notice on Saturday, amid waves of Iranian ballistic missile attacks.

“You must remain in a protected area until an official notice is given,” the army said, adding that air defense systems were detecting and intercepting threats.