US–Iran–Israel War: Joint operation Against Tehran To Tackle 'Existential Threat’, Says Netanyahu

• Israel and the United States launched coordinated strikes inside Iran, marking a major escalation.

• US President Donald Trump said the action could give Iranians a chance to topple their rulers.

• An Israeli official said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was targeted; reports also claimed senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders were killed.

• Iran said it retaliated by striking Israeli and US bases, with Gulf states reporting missile attacks.

• Airlines cancelled flights across the Middle East as the conflict widened regionally.

• Indian Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister on de-escalation

• UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting to dicuss the conflict at 2100 GMT/1600 ET

While not commenting on the U.S and Israeli attacks on Iran, Britain, France and Germany are calling for a resumption of U.S.-Iran negotiations and condemned Iranian attacks on countries in the region.

U.K. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz issued a statement saying their countries didn’t take part in the strikes on Iran, but are in close contact with the U.S., Israel and partners in the region.

The three countries have led efforts to reach a negotiated solution over Iran’s nuclear program.

Meanwhile the 32-nation trans-Atlantic alliance is “closely following developments in Iran and the region,” NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said.

In its first reaction to the fast-evolving situation in the region, New Delhi said it is "deeply concerned" over the developments in Iran and the Gulf region.

"We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

"Dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be respected," it said.

The MEA said its missions in the Middle-East are in touch with Indian nationals and have issued appropriate advisories, asking them to remain vigilant and follow local security guidance.

With inputs from PTI.

Saudi Arabia says Iran targeted its capital, Riyadh, and its eastern region in an attack.

Saudi Arabia made the announcement on its state-run Saudi Press Agency. It called the attack “blatant and cowardly” and said it was repelled. Saudi Arabia had reached a Chinese-mediated detente with Iran in 2023.

Inputs from AP

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, will speak in a few minutes, according to Iran's Al-Alam TV, hours after key Iranian leaders were the target of Israeli and American strikes on Saturday.

With inputs from Reuters

As many as 12 flights belonging to several airlines bound for various international destinations have been cancelled following the conflict in the Middle East, airport authorities said on Saturday.

The Chennai Airport issued an advisory instructing passengers bound for overseas destinations, particularly via the Middle Eastern countries, to check with their respective airlines on their journey.

"As many as 12 flights to be operated later in the day and Sunday have been cancelled. Some of the aircraft belonging to Oman Air, Akasa Air, Air India Express, IndiGo, Gulf Air bound for various destinations, including Dubai, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi are cancelled," airport authorities said on Saturday.

In an update, Chennai Airport said, as per the information available, flights of Etihad and Emirates for Saturday (February 28) and Sunday (March 1) have also been cancelled.

"Owing to airspace closures over parts of the Middle Eastern countries, select international services may encounter delays or routing adjustments. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest flight updates," the advisory from the Chennai Airport said.

The US and Israel launched a major attack on Iran on Saturday. Iran responded, targeting Isr

Russia on Saturday condemned the US-Israeli joint strikes on Iran qualifying it as an “unprovoked” aggression against a sovereign state in violation of international law and called for immediate return to diplomacy.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also described the US and Israeli forces' strikes against the Iranian territory as “a pre-planned” act of aggression against an independent UN member state.

The US and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran early Saturday, which came after days of build-up with US President Donald Trump ramping up the pressure on Tehran to agree to a new deal on its nuclear programme.

“The scale and nature of the military, political, and propaganda preparations preceding this reckless move, including the deployment of a large US military force to the region, leave no doubt that this was a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state, in violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international law,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It condemned that the attacks are being carried out under the guise of a renewed negotiation process.

The strikes were carried out despite Israel’s signals to Russia that Tel Aviv has no interest in military confrontation with the Islamic Republic, the Foreign Ministry statement said.

“Washington and Tel Aviv have once again embarked on a dangerous adventure that is rapidly bringing the region closer to a humanitarian, economic, and, quite possibly, radiological catastrophe.

“The aggressors' intentions are clear and have been declared quite openly: to destroy the constitutional order and eliminate the leadership of an undesirable state that has refused to submit to the dictates of force and hegemony,” the ministry said and added that the responsibility for the negative consequences lies entirely with them.

Moscow urged the international community, including the leadership of the UN and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to immediately provide an objective and uncompromising assessment of these irresponsible actions aimed at undermining peace, stability, and security in West Asia.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced that the United Nations Security Council will meet at 2100 GMT/1600 ET at France's request to discuss the Middle East and Iran crisis.

It comes after UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned "today's military action in the Middle East".

In a statement, he had said that the actions undermine international peace and security and called for an "immediate cessation of hostilities".

The Israeli military say that that “dozens” of missiles have been fired by Iran at Israel.

The missile barrages continued until dusk, despite the fact that many had been intercepted and no significant injuries had been reported. Speaking on national television, Israel's military chief cautioned that the defences aren't "hermetic" and advised the public to follow safety precautions and exercise caution.

With AP input

Saturday's joint Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran had been months in the planning and included the targeting of sites where senior Iranian officials were convening, resulting in the killing of several senior figures, an Israeli military official said.  

"Three sites where gatherings of the Iranian terror regime were taking place were struck simultaneously, and several senior figures essential to the management of the campaign and the regime’s governance were eliminated," the Israeli official said.

Reuters

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday held separate phone conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar as the Middle East reeled under massive tension following a joint US-Israel military offensive against Iran.

Jaishankar conveyed to Araghchi India's deep concern over the developments in Iran and the region.

"Had a telecon with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi this evening. Shared India's deep concern at the recent developments in Iran and the region," Jaishankar said on social media.

On his conversation with Sa'ar, Jaishankar said he reiterated "India's call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions”.