The announcement was made by the Jewish state in what it described as a pre-emptive attack on the Iranian capital
Israel has declared a nationwide state of emergency after the county’s attack on Iran amid fears of retaliation.
The announcement came shortly after Defense Minister Israel Katz said the IDF had carried out a preemptive strike against Iran, highlighting that retaliatory missile and drone strikes against the Jewish state are expected in the coming days.
Sirens sounded across Israel, as advance warnings were sent directly to mobile devices, instructing residents to stay near protected areas, the IDF said.
New Home Front Command guidelines have been issued in Israel, banning educational activities, public meetings and workplace attendance, with only essential services exempted. The military emphasized that the early warning was intended to prepare the public for the potential launch of missiles into Israel.
Early Saturday morning, local media quoted Katz as intending to strike “To remove threats against the State of Israel.”
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a senior defense official told Israeli Channel 13 “It was a joint Israeli-American attack” Others were planning “For months.” A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, later confirmed to the WSJ that the American military was involved in the operation.
An Israeli channel claimed 12 strikes were targeted “Dozens of Administrative Targets” Unconfirmed media reports suggest one of the attacks was launched at an Iranian presidential facility.
A video circulating on social media shows two large plumes of smoke rising from buildings in the Iranian capital.
Local news agency Fars reported three explosions in Tehran. Several rockets landed on University Street and in the Jomhouri district, Mehr reported. It is the central square of Tehran, near the residence of Iran’s leaders – Sadabad Palace.
On Friday, the US announced the evacuation of some diplomats and their families from Israel and advised its citizens to avoid traveling to the country. The UK has withdrawn staff from its embassy in Iran, recommending that its citizens follow safety precautions.
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The strikes represent Israel’s second major military operation against Iran in less than a year. In June 2025, during the 12-day conflict, the IDF carried out a surprise bombing of the Islamic Republic’s military and nuclear facilities, killing senior military commanders, government officials and nuclear scientists.
The US later joined the operation, targeting three key Iranian nuclear sites, including a deep underground enrichment facility at Fordow. At the time, Washington claimed that the strikes had effectively halted Iran’s nuclear program, although Iranian officials maintained that it remained on track.
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