Israel and the United States launched a coordinated military operation against Iran this morning. A source close to the Iranian administration told Reuters that many senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and political officials affiliated with the Islamic Republic lost their lives in the attacks.
Iranian state media announced that severe explosions occurred in the capital Tehran, as well as in the cities of Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Karaj. A security source speaking to Walla confirmed that the United States directly participated in the attacks. A US official stated that American strikes were “ongoing” and that the operations were being carried out with air and naval assets.
Khamenei moved to a “safe area”
An Iranian official speaking to Reuters confirmed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was not in Tehran and had been transferred to a “safe area.” An Iranian military official declined to answer whether Khamenei or President Masoud Pezeshkian had been targeted in the attacks.
Iranian media reported that the IRGC’s intelligence center was targeted and that explosions occurred in central Tehran, while Iran’s airspace was closed.
An Israeli security official said the operation had been planned months in advance and that its timing had been determined weeks earlier. Defense sources stated that one of the targets of the attacks was “to eliminate threats to Israel’s home front, particularly missile launchers and unmanned aerial vehicle bases.”
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “We call on the UN Security Council to take urgent and effective measures against this aggression, which threatens international peace and security.”
Netanyahu: The aim is to end the regime
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that the aim of the operation was “to remove the Ayatollah regime from power.” Arguing that the operation would “create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands,” Netanyahu called on all segments of Iranian society to act against the regime.
State of emergency in Israel
Israel declared a nationwide state of emergency in the morning hours. The Israeli army sent a national alert urging citizens to remain near protected areas. The statement said this was “a proactive measure against the possibility of missile launches toward Israel.”
Iranian officials announced that Tehran was preparing retaliation and that the response would be “devastating.” Around 10:00, sirens sounded in northern Israel, and around 10:30 in central areas including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. It was reported that missile launches originating from Iran had been detected.
Alerts in Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE
Witnesses speaking to Reuters reported smoke rising near the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet base in the Juffair area near Manama, the capital of Bahrain. The US Embassy in Bahrain called on its citizens to remain in shelters. Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior also announced that warning sirens had been activated.
The US Embassy in Qatar also advised its personnel and citizens to remain in place until further notice. It was reported that loud explosions were heard later in the day in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
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