Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted a “precise, combined offensive” against Iranian targets, citing an imminent threat of missile and drone attacks.
Defense Minister, Israel Katz, declared a nationwide state of emergency, closing airspace, banning public gatherings, and ordering civilians to remain near protected spaces.
Explosions were reported in Tehran, the Iranian capital near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as sirens blared across Israel.
Israel launched what it called a “preemptive strike” against Iran Saturday morning, according to Defense Minister Israel Katz, as a state of emergency was declared across the country.
Tthe government declared the special situation because of the expectation of Iranian retaliation with drones and ballistic missiles.
“The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.
In response, Katz signed an order declaring a special state of emergency across the entire country.
Explosions were heard in Tehran on Saturday, Iranian media reported. The apparent strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The IDF confirmed that they launched “a preemptive, precise, combined offensive to strike Iran’s nuclear programme,” with Israeli Air Force jets targeting nuclear and military sites.
This strike marks the latest escalation in a direct war between the two nations that has intensified significantly since June 2025.
In that conflict, a 12-day air war resulted in Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, followed by Iranian retaliation of over 550 missiles and 1,000 drones directed at Israeli territory.
Following that confrontation, diplomatic efforts mediated by Oman have failed to produce a lasting deal regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Recent reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) indicated that Iran was continuing to enrich uranium to 60% purity, close to weapons-grade, leading to intensified warnings from both Jerusalem and Washington.
In Israel, sirens sounded across the country, while mobile alerts instructed residents to stay close to protected spaces.
The Israeli military said that schools across Israel have been closed, the public has been advised to work from home, and public gatherings have been banned.
