Recap: US and Israel bomb Iran

Good afternoon, Middle East Eye readers.

If you’re just joining us, here’s a quick recap of the latest developments across the region:

The US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran shortly after 9:30am local time (6am GMT).
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the objective was regime change, while US President Donald Trump called on Iranians to rise up and take control of their government.
Eighty-five killed, mostly young girls, after a deadly strike on a school in southern Iran.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has reportedly been moved to a secure location, according to a Reuters source.
China condemns US and Israeli strikes on Iran, urges immediate ceasefire and return to talks.

Nearly an hour after the strikes began, Iran launched retaliatory rocket attacks.
Explosions were heard across Israel, including in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, as air defence systems responded to incoming projectiles.
Iran also targeted US military bases in the region, with strikes reported in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Manama, Doha and Kuwait. Blasts were also heard in the Jordanian capital, Amman.
Major oil firms suspend shipments through the Strait of Hormuz as US-Israel strikes on Iran spark regional retaliation, with traders warning their ships will “stay put”. The move threatens a chokepoint that carries a fifth of global oil and a third of the world’s LNG supply.