Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not in Tehran and has been transferred to a “secure location,” an Iranian official has confirmed.
Israel and the United States on Saturday morning launched coordinated strikes on Iran, with blasts heard in Tehran as Israel entered a state of emergency.
At the time of the IDF’s surprise attack, the military 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.
Iranian media reported strikes targeting the IRGC Intelligence Directorate, as well as hits in central Tehran. The country has closed its airspace in response to the strikes.
An Israeli security official tells Reuters that the operation was planned for months and its timing was set several weeks ago.
Sources in the defence establishment stated one of the objectives of the strikes, named ‘Shield of Judah,’ will be to “remove threats to the Israeli home front, with an emphasis on missile launchers and unmanned aerial vehicle bases.”
