Tehran [Iran], June 13: Explosions were heard in the Iranian capital Tehran as Israel announced it had launched a 'preemptive strike' on dozens of targets across Iran on the morning of June 13 (Vietnam time).
Israel airstrikes Iran
The Israeli Air Force has carried out an airstrike on Iran, Axios reported on June 13, citing two sources familiar with the matter. State-run news agency Nour News reported that multiple explosions were heard northeast of the Iranian capital Tehran early on June 13.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet as Israel began airstrikes on Iran, according to The Times of Israel.
The IDF has confirmed that it has launched an air campaign against Iran. According to The Times of Israel , the Israeli Air Force is attacking dozens of targets across Iran related to its nuclear program and other military facilities.
The operation is called "Lion Nation." The IDF believes Iran has enough enriched uranium to build several bombs within days and needs to act against this "imminent threat."
Israel closes airspace, declares state of emergency
Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said the country has declared a nationwide state of emergency in preparation for Tel Aviv's upcoming attack on Iran.
"Following Israel's preemptive strike on Iran earlier, a missile and drone attack against Israel and its civilians is expected in the near future," said Defense Minister Katz.
Mr Katz said he had signed "a special order under which a special state of emergency will be imposed on the domestic front throughout all of Israel. The population must comply with the instructions of the Israel Homeland Command and the authorities and must stay in protected areas".
Sirens just wailed across Israel.
The Israeli military expects the operation against Iran to last for several days. "At the end of the operation, there will be no nuclear threat," The Times of Israel quoted IDF officials as saying. "We are in a strategic moment. We have reached the point of no return, and we have no choice but to act now," according to IDF officials.
As Israel conducts airstrikes on Iran, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Home Front Command announced that it would immediately change its guidelines, banning all educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, except for essential sectors.
"The public is asked to comply with the instructions published on the official channel of the IDF Home Front Command," the military said.
Israel's Transport Ministry said the country has closed its airspace to incoming and outgoing flights until further notice.
Iran on high alert, people killed
The Iranian government has not commented on the incident. However, AFP quoted Iranian state television as saying that Iran's air defense system was "100 percent operational" after the explosion and was on high alert. Iran's Press TV reported that several people had died in the Israeli attack on Tehran.
Iranian state television reported that children were among those killed in an Israeli strike on a residential area in Tehran.
Meanwhile, Israel said its airstrikes may have killed several senior officials in Iran's general staff, including Chief of General Staff Mohammad Hossein Bagheri and several senior nuclear scientists, according to The Guardian.
Information about the damage has not been officially confirmed.
President Trump convenes cabinet meeting
CNN reported that US President Donald Trump has convened an emergency cabinet meeting following news of Israel's attack on Iran.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration has taken necessary measures to protect US forces in the region and is in close contact with regional partners. Reuters quoted him emphasizing that this was a unilateral action by Israel, the US did not participate and Israel convinced the US that this was a necessary action for them.
The US has reportedly told Israel that it will not participate in any potential attack on Iran's nuclear program in the coming days, according to The Wall Street Journal and Axios on June 12. However, Axios noted that it is still possible that the US will provide other support to Israel, including logistics and intelligence.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper