Israel, which was fighting Hamas militants, launched a preemptive strike on Iran. Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that Israel had launched a preemptive operation against Iran “in order to eliminate threats to the state.”
VIDEO OF THE DAY
The Minister announced the introduction of a special state of emergency throughout the country.
Before the attack, the military sent out a nationwide alert for Israel urging people to stay close to protected shelters. The Israeli army (IDF) said it was a preemptive signal to prepare the population for a possible rocket attack on the country.
Due to the worsening situation, the Israeli Minister of Transport decided to close the country's airspace to civilian flights.
ADVERTISING
According to media reports, there have been major explosions near a government complex in Tehran. An assassination attempt on President Masoud Pezeshkian is reported. About 30 targets have been attacked across Iran.
According to the AP, one of the targets of the Israeli strike was the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But Khamenei, according to an Iranian government spokesman, is not currently in Tehran, Reuters reports.
ADVERTISING
The commander-in-chief of the Iranian army, Amir Khatami, has been killed, Israeli media reports say. But this information has not yet been confirmed.
The United States is participating in an Israeli military strike on Iran, The New York Times reported, citing US administration officials. This information was later confirmed by an Israeli Defense Ministry spokesman.
The US State Department has urged its citizens and diplomats to leave Israel due to security risks. American tourists have been advised to reconsider their travel plans due to possible terrorist threats and civil unrest.
US President Donald Trump said: “We have launched a major military operation in Iran, we are eliminating the threat from the brutal Iranian regime.”
ADVERTISING
The strikes are currently aimed at Iran's military apparatus. In addition to its nuclear facilities, Iran has more than 2,000 short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. According to US military officials, they are scattered throughout the country on launch pads, writes the NYT.
Israel will focus most of its strikes on missile storage sites, production facilities, and launchers. American forces will focus on the Iranian nuclear program and additional targets related to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the government.
Reuters, citing an Iranian official, reports that Iran is preparing for retaliatory action.
As “FACTS” reported, large-scale protests against the rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had previously taken place in Iran.