Israel says it has launched a preventative military strike against Iran.
According to Iranian state media, explosions were heard in Tehran on Saturday. The Israeli armed forces (IDF) issued a national warning, urging all citizens to stay near shelters and avoid unnecessary travel. This measure was intended to prepare the public for possible rocket attacks on Israel.
A security official confirmed that the United States was involved in the strikes. Reports indicated that the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was not present in Tehran and had been moved to a secure location. The attacks were said to target the intelligence branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other key areas in downtown Tehran.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the strike was a “preventive attack” aimed at neutralizing threats to the State of Israel. He declared an immediate nationwide state of emergency. Sirens rang across the country while the IDF home front command warned the civilian population to seek shelter. No rockets have yet been reported as fired toward Israel.