A US official confirmed strikes against US strikes on Iran are underway early Saturday. Israel launched preemptive attacks on targets in Tehran. Explosions rocked the Iranian capital. Air raid sirens wailed across Israel around 8:15 a.m. local time. Israel's Defense Minister said the action removes threats to the country. A nationwide state of emergency lasts 48 hours. This comes after weeks of rising tensions in the Middle East.
Key Takeaways
- US and Israel hit Iran in joint operation to counter missile and drone threats.
- Tehran reports blasts; damage details unclear so far.
- Israel shuts airspace, activates shelters; retaliation expected soon.
- Builds on US military buildup with carriers in the region.
Background
Tensions between Iran, Israel, and the US boiled over months ago. It started with Iran's crackdown on protests back in January. People took to the streets against the government. Death tolls rose. Mass arrests followed. US President Donald Trump warned of action. He called out Iran for the unrest. By mid-January, US troops numbered 40,000 to 50,000 in the Middle East. That's a big jump. Carrier Strike Group 3 with the USS Abraham Lincoln moved in. Bases in Qatar and the UAE saw more activity.
Israel ramped up its own moves too. Throughout 2025, they hit Iranian sites in Syria and Iran itself. Missile spots. Revolutionary Guard bases. All gone in covert raids. Then US strikes on nuclear-linked targets last year. Iran saw that as a direct threat. Their leaders hardened up. Economy tanked hard. Unrest spread from late 2025 into this year.
Trump kept the pressure on. Late January posts on Truth Social warned Iran. He said a massive armada heads their way. With power. Enthusiasm. Purpose. If no deal, next attack worse. He referenced past hits on nuclear spots. By February 14, a second carrier group joined. USS Gerald R. Ford from the Caribbean. That's the most US Navy assets there in years. Like back in 2003 before Iraq.
Talks in Geneva failed. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei threatened US ships. Said Iran could sink them. Even closed the Strait of Hormuz for drills. Called out the world's strongest army. Said it could get slapped down hard. Trump weighed options. Plans for commando raids on nuclear sites surfaced. Airstrikes stayed on the table. Diplomacy preferred, but readiness high.
And whispers grew. US ready to strike by February 21. Trump polled advisors. Back and forth in private. Ships, tankers, subs all positioned. White House warned Tehran: make a deal or else. Regional players like Qatar urged calm. Said escalation hurts everyone. But buildup continued. Protests inside Iran didn't stop. Economic collapse deepened. Oil markets watched every move. Fears of supply disruptions rippled through global trade.
Key Details
Strikes hit early Saturday. Israel led. US joined per sources close to the action. Targets in Tehran took direct hits. Iranian state TV showed smoke. Blasts in key areas. No word yet on full damage. Or casualties. But explosions clear. Sirens in Israel sent folks to shelters. Civil defense kicked in. Airspace closed to flights. Military on highest alert.
Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz spoke out.
"This is to remove threats to the State of Israel and its people. A missile and drone attack from Iran is coming soon."
– Israel Katz, Defense Minister
State of emergency declared. 48 hours at least. Civilians prepped for retaliation. US embassy staff pulled out days earlier. Fears of broader war grew. Joint op confirmed by a US official. Details sparse. But it's clear: preemptive move against imminent attack.
Military Moves
US assets key here. Two carrier groups now. Abraham Lincoln and Gerald R. Ford. Fighters ready. Subs lurking. Tankers for long ops. Israel closed skies. No passenger jets in or out. Regional forces tense. Gulf patrols up. Qatar bases buzzing. UAE too. Iran's response? Unknown yet. But expected. Missiles. Drones. That's the word.
Finance angle sharpens focus. Oil prices spiked overnight. Traders eye Hormuz Strait. Any block there? Prices soar. Global supply chains strain. Stock futures dipped on open. Energy firms watch close. Like Occidental Petroleum riding earnings before this. Now all eyes on crude. Broader markets mixed. Asia felt the shake after Wall Street's Nvidia slip, per recent reports.
What This Means
US strikes on Iran shift the board. Retaliation likely. Missiles at Israel. Drones too. Could hit US bases. Qatar. UAE. Broader war? Possible. Oil flows at risk. Prices already up 5% pre-market. Could double if Strait closes. Gas pumps feel it worldwide. Stock markets brace. Defense shares might climb. Energy too.
Diplomacy? Tough now. Trump faces choices. Escalate or pull back. Allies watch. Europe urges talks. But shots fired. Iran's economy cracks more. Protests rage. Leadership tests resilience. Israel stays vigilant. Emergency holds. Global security tightens. Travel alerts out. Finance sectors scramble. Investors shift to safe havens. Gold up. Dollar steady.
And ripple effects spread. Supply chains for tech, autos hit if oil jumps. Inflation ticks higher. Central banks note it. Fed eyes response. This US strikes on Iran play into bigger tensions. Like ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes. Middle East powder keg. Lit fuse now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the US strikes on Iran?
Weeks of buildup. Iran's protest crackdown. US warnings. Military positioning. Israel saw imminent missile threat.
Will oil prices keep rising?
Likely yes. If Iran hits back or closes Hormuz. Traders bet on $100 per barrel soon. Energy costs follow.
Is a full war coming?
Can't say for sure. But retaliation expected. Could widen fast with US carriers there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the US strikes on Iran?
Weeks of military buildup followed Iran’s protest crackdown and threats. Israel acted on imminent missile and drone risks.
Will oil prices keep rising from US strikes on Iran?
Yes, likely. Strait of Hormuz risks and retaliation fears push crude higher. Traders eye $100 per barrel.
Is a full war coming after US strikes on Iran?
Retaliation expected. Could escalate with US assets in place. Diplomacy strained but still possible.
