The USA and Israel have launched massive air strikes on Iran with the aim of a change of power in Tehran.
US President Donald Trump called on the Iranians to take the country’s leadership into their hands. “When we are finished, take over your government,” he addressed the 90 million people. The Islamic Republic responded with counterattacks on Israel and US military bases in several Gulf states. The new war following US negotiations with Iran sparked global concern and warnings of escalation.
Israel announced the start of a “preemptive strike” that morning. Shortly afterwards, Trump confirmed attacks by the US military in a video message. These were also aimed at destroying the country’s military clout and preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also justified the new attacks with the nuclear threat from Iran – and not just for his country. “The murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to equip itself with nuclear weapons that would allow it to threaten all of humanity,” Netanyahu said.
Israel: Targeted Iranian leadership attack
According to the military, Israel tried to specifically attack representatives of the leadership in Tehran. The Israeli army said that several locations in the capital were attacked at the same time in the morning. “High-ranking representatives of Iran’s political and security leadership had gathered there.” Iran, however, emphasized that important statesmen such as the president were doing well. There were initially no reliable reports about the whereabouts of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose residence was destroyed.
Panic in Iran
Heavy explosions sent people into panic in the capital Tehran and other parts of the country. It remained unclear which targets were hit. A video from the Mehr news agency showed great destruction in the middle of the metropolis. The photo showed a completely destroyed building. Several rescue workers could be seen on the edge of the rubble.
Eyewitnesses reported via text message that long lines had formed at gas stations in Tehran. Many people tried to leave the capital. Shops were closed in many places. Doctors and healthcare workers have been asked to be ready.
Iran: Dozens of children killed by rocket
Explosions were also reported in other parts of the country, including in Qom, Lorestan, Kermanshah, Karaj and Tabris. There were also explosions near the cultural metropolis of Isfahan. There is a central nuclear center there. According to state media, 85 children were killed in a rocket attack in a girls’ school in the south of the country.
Iranian Counterattacks – Military Capabilities Limited
Iran also attacked US military bases in Gulf states allied with the United States. The United Arab Emirates, where a person was killed by rocket debris in Abu Dhabi, spoke of a “dangerous escalation” and a “cowardly act”.
According to an expert, Iran does not have the clout to weaken the Americans militarily. “The Iranians are trying to attack wherever the Americans are stationed in the Middle East,” said political scientist Maximilian Terhalle from Stanford University in California to the German Press Agency. But these are more like pinpricks.
Rocket alert in Israel
In many parts of Israel and the West Bank there were repeated air alerts throughout the day about incoming rockets and projectiles. The all-clear was sometimes followed by a new alert within a very short space of time, so that normality was hardly possible. The media reported isolated impacts, but there were no casualties. However, some people were injured while escaping into bunkers or had to be treated for anxiety attacks, said the Magen David Adom rescue service.
Attacks follow negotiations
On Thursday, the USA and Iran were still negotiating the country’s controversial nuclear program. Trump had given Tehran an ultimatum until the beginning of March to reach an agreement – and also threatened military action if no agreement was reached.
Trump: Iran just wanted to do evil
Trump called on the Iranian people to seek protection. “Bombs will fall everywhere.” He accused the country’s leadership of blocking a deal on the nuclear program. “They just wanted to do bad things.”
Iran called on the UN and the international community to condemn the attacks and take action. The security of the region and the world are under unprecedented threat, the State Department said in a statement.
Russia also condemned the actions of the USA and Israel. The Foreign Ministry in Moscow said it was an attack on a “sovereign and independent member state of the United Nations.”
Crisis team in Berlin
The federal government is discussing the new escalation in the Middle East. The crisis team was convened at the Foreign Office. Chancellor Friedrich Merz wanted to travel to the USA on Monday and meet Trump there on Tuesday. It was initially unclear whether it would stay that way.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the development as “extremely worrying”. “We call on all parties to exercise the greatest possible restraint, protect civilians and respect international law,” she wrote on X.
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TEL AVIV/TEHRAN/WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX)
