TEHRAN/JERUSALEM
In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, Israel announced it has launched a missile attack against Iran, with multiple explosions heard and smoke seen rising over downtown Tehran in what Israeli officials are calling a "pre-emptive" military operation .
Several missiles struck University Street and the Jomhouri area of the Iranian capital, according to reports from Fars News Agency . Witnesses and an Al Jazeera correspondent on the ground reported plumes of smoke visible rising from different parts of the city, with some strikes occurring near Pasteur Street in central Tehran .
'State of Emergency' Declared in Israel
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the operation in a statement Saturday morning, describing it as a "pre-emptive attack" conducted "to remove threats to the State of Israel" . Following the strikes, Katz signed a directive declaring a nationwide state of emergency across Israel .
In anticipation of possible Iranian retaliation, Israeli authorities have implemented sweeping emergency measures:
· All schools have been closed nationwide
· Citizens have been instructed to work from home
· Public gatherings have been banned
· Israeli airspace has been shut down to civilian flights
Sirens sounded across Israel as the military sent proactive alerts to mobile phones, urging citizens to remain near protected spaces. The Israel Defense Forces emphasized this was a preparatory measure "for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel" .
Targets and Impact
According to multiple reports, the strikes in Tehran targeted areas near sensitive government locations. Some reports indicate explosions occurred near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, though it remains unclear whether the 86-year-old leader was present at the time . Khamenei has not been seen publicly in recent days amid escalating tensions with the United States.
Iranian state television acknowledged the explosions but has not yet released information regarding casualties or the extent of damage . Authorities in Tehran have not issued an official government response to the attack.
The military action comes against a backdrop of heightened friction between Iran and the United States over Tehran's nuclear program. President Donald Trump had recently stated he was "not happy" with the progress of negotiations and indicated a "big decision" was approaching regarding Iran .
The United States has assembled a significant military presence in the region, including fighter jets and warships, as part of efforts to pressure Iran into a new nuclear agreement . It remains unclear whether Washington was involved in or had prior knowledge of Saturday's Israeli operation .
Several countries, including China, Italy, Germany, and Poland, had urged their citizens to leave Iran in recent days amid growing fears of military action . Flights from Istanbul to Tehran were cancelled Friday, and Pakistani authorities have advised against non-mandatory travel to Iran .
Broader Implications
This attack marks a significant escalation following the 12-day air war between Israel and Iran in June of last year, in which the United States had joined Israeli operations against Iranian nuclear installations . Western powers have long warned that Iran's ballistic missile program and nuclear ambitions threaten regional stability, while Tehran maintains it seeks only peaceful nuclear energy .
Iran has previously warned that it would retaliate against any attack and has threatened to target American bases in the region if Washington strikes Iranian territory .
What Comes Next
The region now braces for potential Iranian retaliation. Israeli officials anticipate possible missile or drone attacks directed at Israeli territory and population centers . The international community is watching closely as this rapidly developing situation threatens to plunge the Middle East into a broader conflict.
Authorities on both sides have yet to provide casualty figures or detailed assessments of damage. This remains a developing story, and further updates will follow as information becomes available.
