US launches large-scale combat operations against Iran - Trump

US President Donald Trump has issued an official statement confirming the launch of a large-scale military operation against Iran.

The statement was posted on his account on the Truth Social platform.

Trump said that the purpose of the operation was to "eliminate immediate threats from the Iranian regime."

The US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for the actions of U.S. troops in the region, has not yet commented on the situation.

According to the Iranian state news agency Fars, the strikes were recorded in Tehran, as well as in the cities of Isfahan, Qom, Karaj and Kermanshah. Three powerful explosions were heard in the center of the Iranian capital, probably due to the arrival of missiles, after which thick smoke rose in some areas.

One of the strikes apparently hit an area near the office of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Associated Press says. Reuters reports, citing an Iranian official, that the ayatollah is not in Tehran - he has been transferred to a "safe place." The Mahr News Agency also claims that "the Iranian intelligence building," a number of government offices, the presidential complex and the city's airport were hit in Tehran.

US President Donald Trump said the military had launched "major combat operations" in Iran after Iran launched what he called a "preemptive" strike on Tehran on Saturday morning.

"Our goal is to protect the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime," Trump said.

Tensions in the region have escalated as Washington and Tehran struggle to reach a deal to curb Iran's nuclear activities.

Saturday's strikes come as the US has amassed a massive fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to force Iran to reach a deal.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on the morning of February 28, Israeli troops launched a series of strikes on Iran. In particular, explosions were heard in Tehran and columns of smoke were seen. Also under attack were the facilities of the Hezbollah terrorist group in Lebanon.