News Desk: The United States and Israel on Saturday carried out what they termed a pre-emptive joint military operation targeting Iranian facilities, sharply escalating tensions in the Middle East. Former US President Donald Trump announced the start of what he described as “major combat operations,” signalling a significant expansion of the conflict.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the launch of a first wave of missile and drone strikes directed toward Israel, marking a direct military retaliation. The exchange represents one of the most serious confrontations between Iran and Israel to date.
Iranian state media reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian remains unharmed, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly been moved to a secure, undisclosed location amid heightened security concerns.
As the situation deteriorated, Iran, Israel, and Iraq announced the immediate closure of their airspaces to civilian aviation. Several Gulf states, including Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, also suspended commercial flights following reports of regional explosions and rising security risks.
The developments have also revived scrutiny of Trump’s earlier public warnings about Iran. In a widely cited 2012 social media post, Trump had cautioned: “Don’t let Obama play the Iran card in order to start a war in order to get elected — be careful Republicans!” The resurfacing of the remark has sparked debate over the political and strategic dimensions of the current military escalation.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued an urgent travel advisory for Pakistani nationals in Iran, urging them to remain cautious and stay in contact with diplomatic missions. The ministry expressed serious concern over the growing instability and its potential impact on regional peace.
With missile exchanges, airspace closures, and diplomatic warnings unfolding simultaneously, analysts warn that the crisis could expand into a wider regional conflict unless urgent de-escalation efforts are undertaken.
