.
Israel launched a “pre-emptive strike” against Iran on Saturday, and Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency across the country.“The State of Israel has launched a pre-emptive strike against Iran. “Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a special and immediate state of emergency throughout the country,” a ministry statement said.
An explosion was reportedly reported near the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran.It was not immediately clear whether the 86-year-old leader was present at the time. Khamenei has not appeared publicly in recent days amid rising tensions with the United States.Thick smoke was seen rising from central Tehran and witnesses reported hearing a powerful explosion. Iranian state television acknowledged the explosion but did not provide further details.
Mermaids in Israel; Closed airspace in Iran
As the attack unfolded, sirens sounded across Israel and citizens received phone alerts warning of an “extremely serious” threat.The Israeli military said the measure was a “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched against the State of Israel.”Iran closed its airspace after the attack and issued warnings to pilots as explosions echoed throughout the capital.The United States is involved in Israeli attacks on Iran, the Associated Press reported, citing sources.Previously, the United States deployed a large fleet of fighter jets and warships to the region, increasing pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program.On Friday, the US State Department authorized non-emergency personnel and their families to leave Israel, citing unspecified “security risks,” CBS News reported.The advisory update came after continued negotiations between Washington and Tehran over a possible nuclear deal. A third round of talks was held in Geneva on Thursday.
Trump ‘not happy’ with Iran
US President Donald Trump previously warned that Iran could face military action if it does not agree to curb its nuclear ambitions.At an event in Texas on Friday, Trump said he was “not happy” with the progress of the negotiations and emphasized that Iran must commit to not developing nuclear weapons.“Now we have a big decision to make. You know. It’s not easy. We have a very big decision to make. We have a country that, for 47 years, has been blowing off people’s legs and arms and faces. They’ve been shooting down ships, killing a lot of people. Well, not just Americans, a lot of people. It’s been terrible. 32,000 people killed in the last two or three months, protesters,” Trump said.“32,000. That’s a number of people. They want to make a deal, but you have to make a deal that’s meaningful. I talked to Ted Cruz, John, all of them on the way here. I told them they have to make a deal that’s meaningful. We hit them very hard, as you know, with those beautiful B-2 bombers recently, which destroyed their nuclear capability. But I’d rather do it peacefully. But they’re very difficult people. I want to tell you that. “They are very dangerous people, very difficult people,” he added.