Israel has launched what it described as a “pre-emptive attack” against Iran, triggering explosions in Tehran and prompting the declaration of a nationwide emergency across Israel.
The development marks a dramatic escalation in tensions between the two regional powers, coming months after their last direct confrontation.
In a statement issued on Saturday morning, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced a “special and permanent state of emergency” across the country.
Shortly after the announcement, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) imposed a nationwide “prohibition on educational activities, gatherings and workplaces,” exempting only essential sectors.
The military also warned citizens to remain close to protected spaces amid fears of a possible retaliatory strike.
“This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel,” the IDF said in a statement posted on X.
The army added that sirens had sounded across the country, accompanied by emergency alerts sent directly to mobile devices, urging residents to stay within proximity of shelters.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported multiple explosions in the capital city of Tehran.
According to reports, at least three explosions were heard in downtown Tehran on Saturday morning.
Fars News Agency also claimed that several missiles struck the Republic area of the Iranian capital, though Iranian authorities had yet to release an official casualty or damage assessment as of press time.
As of the time of filing this report, there had been no confirmed reprisal attack from Iran.
However, analysts say the situation remains fluid, with expectations of a possible counterstrike given the scale of the escalation.
The latest confrontation comes less than a year after direct hostilities between both countries in June 2025.
The strike also occurred barely 24 hours after both countries reportedly concluded another round of talks concerning Iran’s nuclear programme.
Iran has consistently denied working toward nuclear weapons, maintaining that its programme is for peaceful purposes.
There is also heightened geopolitical tension amid reports that the United States has recently increased military deployments in the Middle East. The buildup has been described as preparatory positioning in case of a broader conflict.
However, as of Saturday morning, Washington had not issued any official statement regarding the latest strike, and it remains unclear whether the U.S. was involved in the operation.
