Iran attacked, Israel sounds state of emergency after launching military strike — all we know

Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday with the country's Defence Minister declaring a state of emergency across Israel, reported AP.

Israel Katz announced this as thick smoke rose from an explosion in downtown Tehran, which is Iran’s capital. Iranian state television acknowledged the blast but did not provide more details.

Sirens sounded across Israel

Sirens sounded across Israel simultaneously. The Israeli military said this was a "proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel".

There was no immediate comment from the government about the blast. The explosion occurred amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

'Khamenei moved from Tehran to a secure location'

Meanwhile, The New York Times, citing a US official, reported that US strikes on Iran are currently underway and that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been moved from Tehran to a secure location. A separate official told Reuters that Khamenei is no longer in the capital amid the escalating situation.

As tensions intensify, Israel has closed its airspace to civilian flights, according to its ministry, while Iran has also shut down its airspace following Israel’s reported attack on the country, the Associated Press said. Witnesses quoted by AP further reported multiple explosions rocking Tehran.

All schools closed across Israel

In the wake of the attack on Tehran on Saturday, the Israeli military announced that schools throughout Israel are closed. The public has been asked to work from home, and gatherings have been banned.

{This is a developing story. Please stay tuned with us for the latest updates}