Explosions reported in Iran's capital as Israel claims it launched pre-emptive strikes


Smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.(AP Photo)

TEHRAN (AP): An apparent strike in Iran's capital Saturday (Feb 28) happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

State television acknowledged an explosion in the area of the offices.

It wasn't immediately clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei had been in his offices at the time.

He hasn't been seen publicly in days as tensions with the United States have grown.

Earlier, it was reported that Israel had launched a daylight attack on Iran's capital with a cloud of smoke seen rising from the city's downtown.

It wasn't immediately clear what the target was. But the attack comes as the United States has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done "to remove threats" but did not immediately elaborate.

In Tehran, witnesses heard the blast. Iranian state television later reported on the explosion, without offering a cause.

Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time.

The Israeli military said that it had issued a "proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel."

The US military declined to immediately comment on the attack. - AP

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