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The Times of Israel reported that an unnamed security source told Channel 12 that the operation was jointly planned for months.
The source says Israel is going “all out” in this operation, and the US is “on the same page.”
The source also says the “initial phase” of the joint attack is planned to last for four days.
“The State of Israel has launched a pre-emptive strike against Iran. Defence Minister Israel Katz has declared a special and immediate state of emergency throughout the country,” read a statement from his ministry.
CNN reported that the strikes were near the offices of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It wasn’t clear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei had been in his offices at the time.
In a video received by Iran International, a citizen says on Saturday, March 29, that Khamenei’s bunker was targeted in a military attack.
The United States is also carrying out strikes against Iran, CNN reported two US officials as saying.
The Associated Press also reported that the United States was participating - though it was not immediately clear the full extent of their involvement - according to a U.S. official and a person familiar with the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive military operations.
The Fars News Agency says it has received reports several missiles have hit the Republic area of the Iranian capital.
Israel has closed its airspace to civilian flights, the country’s Transportation Ministry said in a statement.
The Jerusalem Post reported the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) launched a surprise attack on Iran on Saturday morning (local time), with Iranian state media reporting that explosions had been heard in Tehran.
At the time of the attack, the IDF sent a national warning to all citizens to stay near 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 said.
More to come.
- Agence France-Presse, agencies
