Israeli Defense Minister Izrael Katz said that Israel carried out what he called a “preemptive” attack on Iran this morning. Not long after the reports of the strikes on Tehran, there was a direct military response. The Iranian army launched rockets towards Israeli territory. Explosions were also reported in Bahrain, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi.
The attack on Iran, Katz said, was launched in order to eliminate threats to the country’s security. Katz said that a state of emergency has been declared in the entire country, the “Times of Israel” reports. All over Israeli cities, sirens can be heard warning of danger from the air.
In Tehran, detonations echoed in the very center of the city, and thick smoke could be seen near the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, reports “Sputnik”. Iranian media reports that three explosions were heard in the capital of Iran.
After the attack on Iran was launched, the Ministry of Defense of Israel announced that it expected a retaliatory attack by Iran with missiles and drones.
“In accordance with his authority and in accordance with the Law on Civil Defense, Defense Minister Izrael Katz signed a special order declaring a state of emergency throughout Israel,” the announcement reads.
Citing an unnamed American official, the media reported that the United States was also participating in the attack, without specifying the exact extent of American participation.
Netanyahu: The attack allows the Iranians to take their destiny into their own hands
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.”
“The time has come for all sections of the people in Iran to remove the yoke of tyranny and create a free and peaceful Iran,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
Israeli media reported earlier that Netanyahu held a meeting with top security officials in the bunker.
The Iranian army launched rockets towards Israeli territory
Shortly after reports of Israeli strikes on Iran, a direct military response followed. The Iranian army launched rockets towards Israeli territory, the official military structures of Israel confirmed.
The Israeli army confirmed that the identified missiles were launched from Iran, and that early warning systems were activated in several parts of the country.
An aerial threat is in effect across northern and central Israel, including Tel Aviv, after the military detected a rocket launch from Iran.
A military source said one missile was intercepted.
The emergency service announced that there were no injuries after Iran’s missile attack on the northern part of the country.
