SRINAGAR: Israel launched what it described as a “preemptive strike” against Iran early Saturday, Defence Minister Israel Katz said, as authorities declared a nationwide state of emergency amid expectations of retaliatory attacks.
Katz said the emergency measures were imposed due to the likelihood of Iranian retaliation involving drones and ballistic missiles. Sirens sounded across Israel as the Israeli military issued what it termed a proactive public alert, warning of the possibility of incoming missile fire.
In Iran, witnesses reported hearing explosions in central Tehran, with thick smoke seen rising from the downtown area. Iranian state television acknowledged the blast but did not immediately provide further details on casualties or damage.
The Israeli military said the alert was intended to prepare the public for “the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel,” underscoring fears of a rapid escalation into wider conflict.
The strike comes amid heightened regional tensions. Relations between Iran and the United States have remained strained, particularly since Tehran’s crackdown on nationwide protests last year. Washington has accused Iran of pursuing a nuclear weapons programme, a charge Tehran denies, maintaining that its uranium enrichment activities are for peaceful civilian purposes.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions. In his State of the Union address earlier this week, Trump reiterated his opposition to any Iranian nuclear weapons capability, referencing US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June last year.
“My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy — but one thing is certain. I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon,” he said.
The United States has, in recent weeks, deployed a substantial number of aircraft and naval assets to the region. On Friday, Washington urged American citizens to leave Israel amid rising fears of potential strikes.
Iran and the United States held hours of indirect negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme in Geneva earlier this week, but the talks ended without agreement. Prior to the conclusion of the discussions, Iranian state television reported that Tehran remained committed to continuing uranium enrichment, rejected proposals to transfer enriched material abroad, and sought the removal of international sanctions.
Inside Iran, concerns have been mounting over the prospect of renewed war. Many citizens fear that a full-scale conflict could surpass the devastation of the country’s 1980s war with Iraq. The nation is also still recovering from a 12-day conflict with Israel in June and recent domestic unrest.
No immediate reports of casualties were available
