Explosions were reported in Iran’s capital, Tehran, on Saturday morning after Israel carried out what it described as a preemptive military strike, further escalating tensions in the region. The United States also participated in the operation, according to media reports citing an official.

The reported targets were located near the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, reports said the 86-year-old leader was not present in Tehran at the time and had been moved to a secure location.

A journalist cited by Indian television channel NDTV said that at least three to four strikes were heard in the Iranian capital. There was no immediate clarity on casualties.

Sirens in Tel Aviv, emergency alerts issued

Shortly after the strikes, sirens were sounded across Tel Aviv, with Israeli authorities warning residents of the “possibility of missiles” being launched toward the country.

In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said advance instruction alerts had been sent directly to cellular devices, urging the public to stay close to protected spaces. The military described the alert as a proactive measure in anticipation of potential missile launches.

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said the strikes were carried out “to remove threats.”

NDTV’s correspondent, who was reporting live from Ben Gurion Airport, sought shelter as air raid warnings were activated. The sirens stopped shortly afterward.

Several hospitals in Israel initiated emergency protocols, shifting patients and surgeries to underground facilities as a precautionary measure.

Both Iran and Israel closed their airspace following the attack.

Nuclear tensions in the backdrop

The developments come amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme. The US and Israel have repeatedly warned of possible military action if Tehran continued advancing its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.

Earlier this month, Washington and Tehran had resumed negotiations aimed at resolving the long-standing dispute through diplomatic channels. Israel has maintained that any agreement must involve dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and include restrictions on its missile programme. Iran, for its part, had indicated willingness to discuss limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief but rejected linking the issue to its missile capabilities.

US President Donald Trump had hours earlier expressed dissatisfaction with the latest round of talks. “I’m not happy with the fact that they’re not willing to give us what we have to have… They cannot have nuclear weapons,” he said, while declining to specify whether a military strike was imminent.

India issues advisory for nationals

Amid rising tensions, the Indian Embassy in Israel issued an advisory urging citizens in Tel Aviv to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant.

The advisory asked Indian nationals to strictly follow safety guidelines issued by Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command, stay close to designated shelters, and avoid non-essential travel within Israel until further notice. Citizens were also advised to monitor local news and official announcements regularly.

An emergency helpline has been issued for Indians in Israel: +972-54-7520711 and [email protected].

Iran had earlier stated that it would defend itself against any attack, raising concerns about potential retaliatory measures as the situation continues to unfold.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will begin its large-scale ‘Parivartan Yatra’ in poll-bound West Bengal from Sunday, marking a major political outreach drive ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

The party said the campaign is designed to mobilise support across the state and counter what it alleges has been more than a decade of “corrupt, undemocratic, and anti-people governance” under the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Statewide mobilisation across nine divisions

According to party leaders, the Yatra will be conducted simultaneously in all nine organisational divisions of West Bengal. The outreach programme is expected to cover nearly 5,000 kilometres, passing through 38 organisational districts and more than 230 Assembly constituencies.

The BJP estimates the initiative will generate over one crore direct public touchpoints, focusing heavily on face-to-face interactions and grassroots engagement. As part of the campaign plan, the party has scheduled 63 large rallies and 281 welcome meetings at key entry points of Assembly constituencies.

With the slogan “Paltano Dorkar, Chai BJP Sorkar”, the party has framed the Yatra as both an electoral campaign and a broader political movement aimed at strengthening its organisational presence across the state.

Focus on governance, law and order, and corruption

The party’s messaging during the Yatra will centre on governance, accountability, and systemic reforms. BJP leaders plan to raise concerns related to women’s safety, alleged corruption in the education sector, including teacher recruitment issues, and what they describe as threats to national security.

Party sources indicated that demographic changes, illegal infiltration, and the presence of extremist elements in border districts will also be key themes during the campaign.

In rural areas, the outreach will emphasise agricultural infrastructure, implementation of centrally sponsored schemes, and removal of intermediaries. In urban regions, the narrative will focus on industrial development, youth employment, and improvements in urban transport systems.

Senior leaders to participate

More than 100 senior leaders from the central and state units are expected to be involved in the Yatra. The inaugural phase, scheduled for Sunday and Monday, will feature five launch events on the first day and four on the second.

Senior BJP leaders including Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Rajnath Singh, Dharmendra Pradhan, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Nitin Nabin are expected to attend various programmes during the campaign.

After a short break for Holi, the Yatra will resume from March 5 to March 10, with each unit operating for approximately nine hours daily. The campaign is set to culminate in a major public meeting at Kolkata’s Brigade Ground, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address supporters.

The BJP is positioning the Parivartan Yatra as a significant step in reshaping the political landscape of West Bengal as the state moves closer to the Assembly elections.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has indicated that the alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) is expected to be finalised by March 10 ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

The AGP, a long-time ally of the BJP in Assam, is also a founding member of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Discussions between the partners are progressing, with indications that the formal announcement could come within days.

Sources said there could be “friendly fights” between the BJP and AGP in a few constituencies. Such arrangements may be considered to accommodate local-level aspirations and party workers from both sides.

The BJP is also likely to conclude seat-sharing discussions with the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) by March 10. In the previous Assembly election, the BPF had aligned with the Indian National Congress (Congress), but it has now returned to the NDA fold.

However, seat-sharing talks between the BJP and its other Bodoland-region partner, the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL), are reportedly facing hurdles. Earlier, Mr Sarma had stated that the UPPL would not join hands with the Congress.

On the opposition side, the Congress is dealing with its own alliance challenges. Negotiations with Akhil Gogoi-led Raijor Dal are underway, but sources suggested that discussions have not been progressing smoothly.

Congress sources said seat-sharing arrangements with the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) and Left parties are almost finalised. An official announcement is awaited from the party’s high command.

As political negotiations intensify, both the ruling NDA and the opposition camp are working to conclude alliances and seat-sharing deals in the run-up to the state polls.