Israel launched an attack on Iran in the early hours of Friday as explosions were heard across Iran’s capital Tehran.
Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, described the attack as a “pre-emptive strike” and declared a special emergency across Israel in anticipation of an “immediate” counter attack. Warning sirens sounded across Israel.
Iran state media announced the death of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander-in-chief, General Hossein Salami in an Israeli strike.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that two nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi were also killed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the campaign in a recorded message, calling it a “decisive moment” for the country. The operation has been named “Rising Lion.”
Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that aviation authorities have closed the country’s airspace until further notice.
This is a developing story.
