Israel Launches ‘Pre-Emptive Strike’ On Iran, Airspace Shut Down

Israel says it has carried out a “pre-emptive strike” against Iran, citing national security concerns and warning that retaliation is expected.

In a statement reported by several local outlets early on Saturday, the Defence Minister Israel Katz said the operation was intended “to remove threats against the State of Israel”.

He confirmed that a nationwide state of emergency had been declared, with authorities bracing for possible missile and drone attacks in the near term.

Israel Declares State of Emergency Amid Retaliation Fears

Katz said the government had activated emergency measures in anticipation of a response from Tehran.

The move follows what Israeli officials described as a carefully planned military operation targeting Iranian assets. A senior defence official told Channel 13 that the strike was “a joint Israeli-American attack” prepared “for months”.

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An unnamed US official later told The Wall Street Journal that American forces were taking part in the operation.

Explosions Reported in Tehran as ‘Dozens’ of Targets Hit

Footage broadcast from Tehran showed two large plumes of smoke rising above buildings in the Iranian capital.

The country’s Channel 12 reported that the strikes hit “dozens of regime targets”. Separate, unverified reports suggested that one of the locations struck may have included an Iranian presidential facility.

Iranian authorities had not immediately issued a detailed response at the time of publication.

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In a further sign of escalating tensions, the country’s Ministry of Transport confirmed that the country’s airspace had been closed to civilian flights.

Officials stated that “the safety and security of passengers are the top priority”, as emergency protocols remain in effect.

The situation remains fluid, with both regional and international observers closely monitoring developments.