Israel strikes Iran

Israel launched a "pre-emptive strike" on Iran to "eliminate threats to the country." This was stated by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, the Times of Israel reports .

A retaliatory strike from Iran is expected in the near future, the head of the Israeli Ministry of Defense added. He signed a decree introducing an “immediate state of emergency” across the country.

Israeli airspace is closed and civilian flights have been cancelled. An air raid alert has been declared throughout the country. From 9:00 Moscow time, educational events, meetings and office work are prohibited in the country, with the exception of essential sectors. The Israel Defense Forces' logistics command ordered residents of the country to stay near bomb shelters.

Three explosions were heard in the center of Tehran, the Iranian Fars agency reported . According to the Mehr agency, several rockets fell on University Street and in the Jumhuri area. This is the central square in the capital of the Islamic Republic, next to which is the residence of Iranian leaders - Saadabad Palace.

Later, the Iranian Tasnim agency reported new explosions in the country's capital. Attacks were also carried out on Isfahan, Qom, Karaj and Kermanshah, Mehr added .

Israel's Channel 12 said the strikes hit dozens of targets belonging to the Islamic Republic regime. One of the targets was the residence of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, writes Associated Press. As reported by Reuters, Khamenei is not in Tehran and has been transferred to a safe location. According to unconfirmed reports, another target is the residence of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, The Times of Israel noted .

According to Channel 12’s interlocutor, the attack was a joint operation between the country and the United States. The New York Times reported that preparations for the strike lasted several months. Washington assumes that the strikes will be more intense than the American attack on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025. US participation has not yet been officially confirmed.

UPD: Later, Washington’s participation in strikes on Iran was confirmed by US President Donald Trump on the Truth Social social network: “We have launched a large-scale military operation in Iran, we will destroy the threat from the brutal Iranian regime.” According to the head of the White House, the goal of the operation is to destroy Iran's nuclear and missile programs.