Iran-Israel tensions escalate: Airspaces closed, alarms raised
Israel's airstrikes on Iran targeted several cities, including the capital, Tehran. Many civilians, including women and children, lost their lives in the attacks that struck residential areas. In an operation carried out with dozens of jets, Israel claimed that nuclear targets were hit.
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The official Iranian news agency IRNA reported in its coverage of the explosion sounds that loud noises were heard particularly in the east, west, and center of Tehran.
State television also announced that the source of the explosion sounds was not yet clear.
RESIDENTIAL AREAS TARGETED
Iranian state television broadcast footage showing Israel striking civilian residential areas in Tehran.
In the footage released regarding the attacks, a building in a residential area in the Mahallati neighborhood in northeastern Tehran was seen being targeted.
The multi-story building sustained heavy damage following the attack.
Footage also appeared in national media suggesting that Israel targeted a civilian building in the Kamraniye neighborhood, located in northern Tehran.
CIVILIAN CASUALTIES REPORTED
The official Iranian news agency IRNA reported that civilians, including women and children, lost their lives in the capital, Tehran, during the attacks Israel launched against Iran.
The agency's report did not share the identities or the number of civilians among the deceased.
ISRAEL ALSO ATTACKED IRAN'S TABRIZ CITY
It was reported that Israel, which carried out attacks on various Iranian cities, also targeted the city of Tabriz.
"Sepahnews," known for its proximity to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, announced that Israel targeted 5 locations in the city of Tabriz.
No official statement has been made yet regarding loss of life or property in the attack.
STATEMENT FROM ISRAEL
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced that they had launched an attack on Iran.
Israeli Army Radio reported that Defense Minister Katz had declared a state of emergency across Israel.
Katz stated, "Following Israel's preemptive strike on Iran, missile and drone attacks against Israel and its civilian population are expected in the near future."
Army Radio reported that Israeli airspace has been closed until further notice and that the Ministry of Transport would provide information regarding flight changes at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
Alarms were activated across the country as a warning against a potential attack throughout Israel.
ISRAEL: MILITARY TARGETS HIT
While it was stated that numerous military targets were hit in the initial attack across various regions of Iran, it was noted that military targets, commanders, headquarters, and nuclear facilities were subjected to the attack.
In a statement from the Israeli military, it was announced that a decision was made to make urgent changes to the Home Front Command guidelines as of 03:00.
It was reported that a decision was made to transition to full operational status across the country and to ban educational activities and gatherings, with the exception of essential sectors.
DOZENS OF JETS PARTICIPATED
In a statement from the Israeli military, it was reported that dozens of jets participated in the attacks on Iran.
The statement used the phrase, "The first phase, which includes attacks on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different regions of Iran, has been completed."
The statement, which claimed that Iran is "closer than ever" to possessing nuclear weapons, argued that Iran's weapons pose a threat to Israel and the entire world.
A threat was made that Israel would attack "anywhere necessary" on the grounds of defending its citizens.
US SECRETARY OF STATE: IRAN SHOULD NOT TARGET US
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio:
"Israel has taken unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in the attacks on Iran. I am being clear: Iran should not target us."
Rubio issued a written statement following Israel's attack on Iran.
Stating that his country was not involved in the attack, Rubio assessed, "Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in the attacks on Iran, and our highest priority is to protect American forces in the region."
Rubio stated that Israel informed the US before the attack and notified them that they were taking this step for their "own self-defense."
Expressing that the US administration, under the instruction of President Donald Trump, has taken all necessary steps to protect its forces in the region, Rubio also noted that they are in contact with their regional partners.
At the end of his statement, reiterating that his country had no involvement in the attack, Rubio warned the Tehran administration against targeting the US presence in the region with the words, "Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel."
IRAQ CLOSES AIRSPACE TO ALL FLIGHTS
Following Israel's attack on Iran, Iraq closed its airspace to all flights.
According to the report by the official Iraqi news agency INA, the Iraqi Ministry of Transport closed the country's airspace and suspended flights at all airports.
NUCLEAR SCIENTISTS LOST THEIR LIVES
Tasnim News Agency, known for its proximity to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, stated that Israel targeted nuclear scientists in Tehran. It was noted that nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoon Abbasi lost their lives in the attack.
No official statement has been made on the matter yet.