- New explosions rock Tehran after Israel confirms it has launched a pre-launch missile strike against Iran
- One attack struck near offices associated with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, although it was not known if he was present
- Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a state of national emergency, closed the airspace and ordered schools and workplaces to close.
- The escalation came against the backdrop of fragile nuclear talks between the US and Iran and following the recent 12-day air war that saw attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites
New explosions have rocked central Tehran after Israel confirmed it had launched what it described as a pre-launch missile strike against Iran.
Source: UGC
Iranian media reported that several explosions were heard across the capital, while missiles were said to have hit areas along University Street and the Jomhouri district.
Was Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei targeted?
According to the BBC, the state-linked Fars news agency said more explosions were later recorded in the north and east of the city.
This happened as thick smoke could be seen rising over parts of central Tehran, according to journalists on the ground.
The Associated Press reported that one of the blasts occurred near offices associated with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
It was not immediately clear whether Khamenei, who has not been seen in public in recent days, was present at the time amid claims he had been moved from Tehran to a safe haven.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed the operation and declared a special and permanent state of emergency throughout Israel.
In a statement, he said the attack was aimed at eliminating threats to the State of Israel.
“The country of Israel has launched a preventive attack against Iran. Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a special and emergency situation throughout the country,” read a statement from his ministry.
Sirens sounded in major Israeli cities, as the military issued what it called an emergency alert to prepare the public for possible Iranian missile or drone attacks.
The Israeli army said schools and workplaces would be closed, except for essential services, and urged civilians to stay away from bomb shelters.
The Israel Airports Authority announced the immediate closure of the country’s airspace to civil aircraft and advised the public not to go to airports. The move signaled concerns about swift retaliation from Tehran.
Were the negotiations between Iran and the United States successful?
The attacks come amid weak diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program.
Talks resumed in February with the aim of preventing another military conflict, but progress has been slow.
Israel has repeatedly insisted that any deal must go beyond uranium enrichment and include the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure as well as restrictions on its ballistic missile program.
Tehran has insisted it is willing to negotiate limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, but has refused to link the issue to its missile capabilities.
Source: UGC
Iranian officials have also repeatedly warned that the country will defend itself against any attack and that US military bases in the region could be targeted if the US joins Israeli operations.
The latest confrontation follows a 12-day air war in June between Israel and Iran, in which the United States joined Israeli operations targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Iran retaliated at the time by firing missiles at the Al Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest US military base in the Middle East.
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