On Saturday, Israel and the United States launched massive, coordinated strikes against Iran. According to statements by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, the operation's primary goal was the elimination of the Islamic Republic's military and political leadership.

As reported by "Hvylya", this was detailed by The Times of Israel.

Trump publicly urged the Iranian people to seize the moment and overthrow their own government, calling the strikes a historic opportunity for the nation.

Khamenei's Palace Destroyed, Leader Reportedly in "Safe Location"

One of the key targets hit was the Tehran palace of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which was completely leveled. Satellite imagery published by The New York Times confirms that only smoking ruins remain at the site of the once-grand building in central Tehran. It remains unknown whether Khamenei was inside at the time of the strike. Iranian state media claimed he had been evacuated to a "safe location" in advance.

Later, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the Supreme Leader is alive. According to him, all high-ranking officials - including the head of the judiciary, the speaker of parliament, and the secretary of the National Security Council - are safe and at their posts. However, the minister confirmed the deaths of two commanders but declined to provide names.

IRGC Commander and Defense Minister Killed, According to Israeli Assessment

The Israeli side assesses as likely the deaths of the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), General Mohammad Pakpour, as well as Iran's Defense Minister and the head of intelligence. An Iranian source close to the regime confirmed to Reuters the deaths of several high-ranking IRGC commanders and political officials following the strikes.

These reports have not been officially confirmed by either Tehran or the Israel Defense Forces. Nevertheless, an Israeli source speaking to "Channel 12" reported "highly significant" damage to the Iranian regime's top leadership and "indications" of direct hits on targets.

Dozens of Cities Under Fire, School in Ruins

Strikes hit at least a dozen cities across the country. Beyond Tehran, numerous IRGC bases and Basij militia formations were targeted. The operation focused on military infrastructure, symbols of state power, and intelligence facilities, according to a source familiar with the operation's details who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Iranian state media reported a strike on a girls' school in southern Iran, in the city of Minab, Hormozgan Province. According to the IRNA agency, at least 40 people were killed, including students, and another 45 were injured. The Israeli side has not commented on these reports. Notably, an IRGC military base is located in the same city.

Tehran in Smoke: Some Flee, Others Celebrate

The full picture of events inside the country remains incomplete due to a massive internet blackout imposed by Iranian authorities after the strikes began. However, video footage shared by Iranians on social media presents a conflicting scene.

Smoke rose over dozens of buildings in Tehran. Thousands of residents rushed to leave the city, creating massive traffic jams on highways. Yet, some Iranians met the strikes differently: videos show people laughing and dancing in the streets while watching government facilities burn. In one clip filmed at a high school, students openly celebrated, with one shouting in English: "I love Trump."

Iran Attacks Saudi Arabia, Explosions in Abu Dhabi

Iran launched retaliatory strikes against neighboring countries. Saudi Arabia officially stated that Iranian attacks hit its capital, Riyadh, and eastern regions. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the strikes were intercepted but provided no further details. Riyadh condemned the attack, especially since Saudi Arabia had previously warned Tehran it would not allow its airspace to be used for attacks against Iran.

U.S. air defenses shot down a drone over a U.S. military base near Erbil airport in Iraqi Kurdistan. In Abu Dhabi, Reuters witnesses reported powerful explosions in the city.

Iran Blocks Strait of Hormuz, Threatening One-Fifth of Global Oil

In one of the most severe consequences of the escalation, Iran implemented a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Approximately 20% of global oil consumption passes through this strategic waterway between Oman and Iran. Several major oil companies and trading houses have already suspended shipments of crude and petroleum products through the strait. "Our vessels will remain stationary for several days," said a top executive from a major trading division.

The European maritime mission EUNAVFOR Aspides urged the shipping industry to maintain high vigilance and warned that attacks on vessels in the region are possible. Additionally, the mission reported threats from Yemeni Houthis, who declared their readiness to resume attacks on Israeli and American ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Context: Why This Happened Now

The strikes are the culmination of weeks of rising tension between the U.S. and Iran. Three rounds of indirect nuclear program negotiations failed to produce results. Simultaneously, the U.S. increased its military presence in the region. Donald Trump, in his address to Congress, warned that Iran was attempting to rebuild the nuclear program that the U.S. "destroyed" with strikes last June.

Previously, we reported that on Saturday, February 28, the U.S. and Israel began a massive military operation against Iran, launching coordinated strikes on nuclear, military, and government sites. The operation was named "Lion's Roar."