Israel has carried out what it described as “preemptive strikes” against Iran, and a state of emergency has been declared in the country, according to Defense Minister Israel Katz.
According to The New York Times, an Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to protocol said the strikes in Tehran targeted facilities linked to Iran’s nuclear program and its long-range missile capabilities. The official also noted that Israel was carrying out dozens of strikes across various locations in Iran.
“Following the State of Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future” Katz said in a statement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the airstrikes were aimed at key parts of Iran’s nuclear and military program.
"We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment program, Iran's nuclear weaponization program, Iran's main enrichment facilities, leading nuclear scientists, and ballistic missile programs," Netanyahu said.
PM Netanyahu said in a video message: "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival."
Israel closed its airspace in anticipation of Iranian retaliation.
An Israeli security official says that Netanyahu and other top officials decided Monday that the operation would start today reports AP.
Multiple explosions were heard across Tehran, CNN reported citing Iran’s state news agency IRNA.
A senior Iranian official said Iranian fighter jets had taken off and that Israeli planes were attacking Iran reports the NYT.
At 3 a.m. local time, the Israeli military announced that schools nationwide would be closed, mass gatherings prohibited, and workplaces shut down “except for essential sectors.”
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard commander, Gen. Hossein Salami, is reportedly feared dead following an Israeli attack, according to Iran’s state television.
Also read: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Chief Gen. Hossein Salami confirmed dead, state media reports
US has denied their involvement in the attack. While the US Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, issued outright support to the Israel's attack on Iran. US secretary of state Marco Rubio made it clear the US was not involved. He also added that Israel acted on its own.
Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Mohammad Bagheri, was killed in Israeli strikes that hit multiple cities, including the capital, according to state television and AFP.
Also read: Iran’s armed forces Chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri killed in Israeli strike, state media reports
Although U.S. officials had anticipated a possible Israeli strike, it remains unclear what President Trump communicated directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent days.
However, Trump stated earlier today that while he was aware a strike might occur, he did not support Israel proceeding at a time when his administration was still pursuing negotiations to limit Iran’s nuclear program.
Iraq’s ministry of transportation announced a “temporary closure of Iraqi airspace” and complete suspension of air traffic reports AP.
Meanwhile, Israel’s airports authority said Ben-Gurion international airport, the country’s main airport, has been closed until further notice.
Black smoke rose Friday over Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz though it wasn’t clear how bad the damage was.
While the opposition leader of Israel Yair Lapid, a fierce Netanyahu rival and critic, has extended his “full support” for the operation against Iran. His office says he was notified in advance about the operation.
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