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| Israel and U.S. Launch Pre-emptive Military Strikes on Iran, Explosions Reported in Tehran.photo/Coutersy. |
Israel has launched a coordinated military attack on Iran, marking a severe escalation in Middle East tensions and undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts over Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
According to official statements from the Israeli government, Israel executed a “pre-emptive strike” against Iran early Saturday, saying the operation was intended to remove threats to the State of Israel. The strike reportedly was planned for months in coordination with the United States, and the launch date was determined weeks in advance.
Shortly after the attack began, explosions were heard across Tehran, including areas near the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and smoke was seen rising over parts of the city. Multiple missiles reportedly struck University Street and the Jomhouri area, according to Iranian media and international reports.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said the strike was aimed at neutralising Iranian military and security threats and was carried out as a preventative measure.
Emergency Measures and Alerts
In response to the attacks, Israel declared a national state of emergency, and sirens were sounded across the country to warn of potential Iranian retaliation with drones and ballistic missiles. Israel also closed its civilian airspace and authorities urged the public to follow official safety instructions.
Iran’s airspace was also reportedly closed amid the ongoing military action.
U.S. Involvement and Broader Context
U.S. officials have confirmed that American strikes against Iran were underway alongside Israeli operations, though full details of U.S. involvement have not yet been disclosed. The attack followed weeks of nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran that failed to resolve differences, particularly over Iran’s ballistic missile programme.
The operation comes after a period of heightened tensions in the region, including a 12-day air war between Iran and Israel in June 2025.
Regional Implications
The situation remains fluid, and reactions from world leaders and governments are still coming in. As of now, details about casualties and the full scale of damage from the strikes have not been released by either side.
