Israel on Saturday carried out a pre-emptive military strike against Iran, targeting areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz. The US confirmed that the operation was a joint Israeli-American military action. Katz described the strike as necessary “to remove threats” and declared a special state of emergency across Israel.
Sirens were sounded nationwide, with the Israeli military issuing a proactive alert to prepare citizens for the possibility of missile attacks. Schools were closed, public gatherings banned, and authorities advised people to work from home. Israeli airspace was also closed to all civilian flights as a precautionary measure.
The development comes amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and follows recent US-Iran diplomatic efforts, which are likely stalled due to the strike. Witnesses in Tehran reported hearing explosions, and Iranian state television later confirmed a blast, though the cause has not been officially detailed.