Israel announced on Saturday that it launched a “preemptive strike” on Iran, pushing the Middle East into a new military confrontation. International media reports at least two powerful explosions heard in Tehran.
Some sources claim that the residence of the supreme leader was also hit. Likewise, the governmental district in Tehran is said to have been targeted. Several images of the explosions in Tehran have appeared on social networks.
“The State of Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran to remove threats to Israel,” declared the Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz.
The confrontations arose after Israel and Iran were engaged in a 12-day air war in June last year, and the US put pressure on the Tehran administration to abandon its nuclear and ballistic program.
On Friday, the US embassy in Israel authorized the departure of non-essential government personnel and their families from Israel, due to “security risks”.
On Saturday, after the attack was announced, all activities in Israel were suspended, and the airport in Tel Aviv was closed, according to Agerpres. Citizens were advised to stay near shelters.
“Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave people of Iran to take their fate into their own hands. The time has come for all communities in Iran — Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Baluchis, and Ahwazis — to throw off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran,” Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced, announcing the joint operation with the US.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that the US military has begun “major combat operations in Iran”. Their aim would be to eliminate “imminent threats from the regime” in Tehran.
The American leader promised to destroy Iran’s missile production capabilities, annihilate naval forces, and insisted that Tehran can never possess nuclear weapons.
Preliminarily, Iran is said to have begun a retaliatory military attack, directed at Israel.