Israel attacks Iran, declares state of emergency; blasts reported in Tehran and airspace shut; IDF releases footage of 'Roaring Lion': Here's what we know so far

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel launched a “pre-emptive attack” on Iran on Saturday, as explosions were reported in Tehran by Iranian media. Sirens were also sounded in Tel Aviv after Israeli authorities warned of the “possibility of missiles.”

The escalation comes after a 12-day air conflict between Israel and Iran in June and follows repeated warnings from the United States and Israel that further strikes could take place if Iran continued advancing its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Israel attacks Iran: What we know so far

-Israel on Saturday launched a "pre-emptive attack" on Iran and has declared a state of emergency. "The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran. Defence minister Israel Katz has declared a special and immediate state of emergency throughout the country," a ministry statement said.


-Iranian state television acknowledged the blast but did not provide further details.

-At the same time, sirens were also sounded across Israel and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat.

ALSO READ: Israel attacks Iran with missiles, declares state of emergency; Khamenei transferred to secure location



-Israel has shut its airspace to all civilian flights, with authorities urging the public not to come to airports until further notice, Reuters reported. The authority also requested that members of the public avoid travelling to Israeli airports.

-"In the last few minutes, sirens were sounded all throughout Israel, with an advance instruction alert directly to cellular devices to stay within proximity to protected spaces. This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel. The IDF emphasizes that the public is requested to stay in proximity to protected spaces," the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement.



-According to Iranian media reports, explosions were heard in Isfahan, Qom, Karaj and Kermanshah. Mobile phone lines have been cut in parts of eastern and western Tehran, internet connectivity has weakened in some areas, according to reports. Explosions were heard in central Tehran, with people seen running in panic, according to a Reuters witness.

-An Israeli defence official said that Israel's operation in Iran is coordinated with the US. The United States is participating in the Israeli strikes against Iran, AP reported, citing sources.

ALSO READ: Iran-Israel war: Blasts near Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's office; where is Iran's Supreme Leader now



-Iran has also shut down its airspace as Israel has launched an attack.

- The Israeli military ‌on Saturday ⁠announced ⁠a "prohibition on educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces" after ⁠Israel launched ‌what the defence minister ⁠said was a pre-emptive attack against Iran.

-Iran’s supreme leader, Khamenei, is not in Tehran and has been moved to a secure location, an official told Reuters. Following the sound of multiple explosions in the capital, trading at the Tehran Stock Exchange has been suspended, Iranian media reported.

-Several ministries in southern Tehran have been targeted, Iranian official to Reuters. Explosions heard in northwestern Iranian city of Tabriz, reports IRNA.

-US strikes against Iran are being launched by air and by sea, a U.S. official tells Reuters. US President Donald Trump has earlier threatened to attack Iran if no deal to rein in its nuclear programme is reached.

-Tehran preparing for retaliation, the response will be crushing, Iranian official tells Reuters.

-The strikes came hours after Trump said he was "not happy" with the latest talks over Iran's nuclear program. "I'm not happy with the fact that they're not willing to give us what we have to have. I'm not thrilled with that. We'll see what happens. We're talking later. We're not exactly happy with the way they're negotiating. They cannot have nuclear weapons," Trump had said.

-In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times, India said in an advisory.



-In case of any emergency, Indian nationals may contact the Embassy of India, Tel Aviv, through the 24x7 helpline: Telephone: +972-54-7520711, the advisory added.

-In his first reaction after Israel launched an attack on Iran, President Trump said a short time ago, the U.S. began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, he said.

-Trump acknowledges that there could be American casualties following Iran strikes, saying 'that often happens in war.'

-After the US-Israel joint attack on Tehran, Trump asks Iranians to ‘take over the government’



-The United States is planning several days of attacks on Iran, CNN reported on Saturday, citing two sources.

-Israeli military said missiles have been launched from Iran toward Israel. Iran's port city of Bushehr has been attacked, state media reported; unclear whether Bushehr nuclear power plant was damaged.

-Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu issues a statement to the nation and said that U.S. and Israel have embarked on an operation to remove an existential threat from the Iranian regime. Iran must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons, he added.

-The United Arab Emirates closed it airspace as Israel and US conduct strikes on Iran, reports AP.

-Sirens were also sounded in Jordan.

-Nordic airline Norwegian Air suspended all flights to and from Dubai on Saturday after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran, a company spokesperson said.

-Explosions heard in Qatar as Iran launches counterattack over Israel-US assault on the Islamic Republic, reports AP. Several U.S. bases in Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain are under attack by Iran’s IRGC, Fars reported.

-Bahrain said a missile attack had targeted the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in the island kingdom. It did not provide any further immediate details about the strike, including the extent of damage or whether there were casualties.

-Loud booms were heard in partsof Abu Dhabi on Saturday, according to five witnesses includingtwo Reuters correspondents, after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks against Iran.

-Air India said that, in view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all its flights to destinations across the region have been suspended.

-Several senior Revolutionary Guards commanders and political officials reportedly killed in US-Israel strikes

-Iran's foreign ministry has issued a statement declaring that "the time has come to defend the homeland" following joint military strikes by the United States and Israel.

-The joint military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran has led to significant disruptions in regional and international air travel, with several countries closing their airspace on Saturday.

-IDF releases footage of 'Roaring Lion' strikes on Iran

-Some oil majors ​and top trading houses have ‌suspended ⁠crude ⁠oil ​and fuel shipments via the ​Strait of Hormuz amid ​ongoing ⁠U.S. and ‌Israeli ​attacks ​on Iran ⁠and Tehran's retaliation, four ​trading sources ​said on Saturday.

(With agency inputs)