The Israeli Defense Minister, Benny Gantz, announced that the country has carried out strikes on Iran with the aim of eliminating threats to its state.
These actions have been characterized as preventive, and a response from Iran in the form of missile and drone attacks is expected soon.
A state of emergency has been declared in Israel, and citizens are advised to follow the instructions of the home front command and remain in shelters.
The IDF reported that Israel has entered a "special mode," in which only key services will operate.
Educational institutions, including schools and universities, are being closed, mass events are canceled, and most businesses are suspending their activities. Only essential services will continue to operate.
Israel has also closed its airspace.
Israeli media, including N12 TV channel, report that these strikes may be part of a joint operation with the U.S., during which many sites associated with the Iranian government have already been hit.
Additionally, there are rumors of a possible assassination attempt on Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, although there are no official confirmations of this information yet.
According to Iranian media, the strikes hit University Street and the Jomhouri area in Tehran.
According to various sources from the Israeli press, the attack affected about 30 sites across Iran, including the president's residence and the intelligence headquarters.
The Iranian newspaper Shargh reports thick smoke rising over the area where the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei usually resides. Local residents also confirm the presence of smoke in this area, which houses the presidential palace and the National Security Council.
Donald Trump expressed that he is not concerned about a possible rise in oil prices in the event of escalating conflict in Iran. "I don't care about that; I worry about human lives and the long-term well-being of our country," he noted.
A representative of the Israeli Ministry of Defense added that the attack was coordinated with the U.S. and had been carefully planned for several months.
Reports indicate that strikes were also carried out on the Iranian parliament. Explosions were recorded in cities such as Qom, Isfahan, and Khorramabad.
According to a U.S. representative, the purpose of the airstrikes is to undermine Iran's security, and the attack is expected to become even more extensive.
The operation, named "Shield of Yehuda," was prepared for several months and launched at a predetermined time, as reported by a representative of the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
At the same time, according to Reuters, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, has been moved to a safe location.
A U.S. representative commented to Al Jazeera that the airstrikes are aimed at destroying Iranian security structures, affecting cities such as Qom, Khorramabad, Isfahan, and Tehran, where one of the nuclear facilities is located.
