Israel has launched what it calls a “pre‑emptive” attack on Iran, with Defence Minister Israel Katz saying the operation was carried out to “remove threats to the State of Israel.”
The announcement came early Saturday as large explosions were reported in central Tehran and air‑raid sirens sounded across Israel.
Katz declared an immediate nationwide state of emergency, urging Israelis to remain close to protected areas amid fears of an imminent retaliatory strike from Iran.
“The State of Israel has launched a pre‑emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel,” he said in a statement released shortly after the explosions were reported.
Iranian state media confirmed that several blasts were heard in Tehran, with witnesses describing thick smoke rising above major districts of the capital.
The exact targets and the extent of the damage remain unclear, though Israeli officials have indicated the strike was launched in anticipation of what they described as an “immediate” missile and drone attack from Iran.
The attack marks a dramatic escalation in longstanding tensions between the two regional rivals, coming months after a series of cross‑border confrontations and amid renewed international disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Israeli authorities also closed national airspace as a precautionary measure, while the military issued what it called a “proactive alert” to prepare the public for potential incoming fire.
Reports from international media suggest the United States may also be participating in the operation, though Washington has yet to publicly confirm its involvement.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
