Israel launches

Update: President Trump announced Saturday morning that the United States was engaged in “major combat operations in Iran” shortly after Israel reported that it had launched a “preemptive strike” against Iran. Follow the latest live coverage here.

Israel launched what it described as a “preemptive strike” it’s iran On Saturday morning, Israeli officials said as explosions were seen and heard throughout Tehran.

Israel’s Defense Ministry said in a statement that it launched the attack because it expected “a missile and drone attack” from Iran “in the immediate future.”

The scope and location of the attack were not immediately clear. Iranian media reported attacks across the country. An attack reportedly occurred near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It was not immediately clear whether Khamenei, 86, had been in his offices at the time.

Authorities had closed roads to Khamenei’s compound in central Tehran as other explosions occurred across the capital. He has not been seen publicly for days due to rising tensions with the United States.

The US military declined to immediately comment on the attack. It comes as the United States has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region. to try to pressure Iran to an agreement on its nuclear program.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced that he had also declared a state of emergency throughout Israel.

“They must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in protected areas,” the statement read.

Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time as Katz’s announcement. The Israeli military said it had issued a “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched towards the State of Israel.”

The US Embassy in Qatar announced on social media that it had implemented shelter-in-place for all staff.

“We recommend all Americans do the same until further notice,” the embassy wrote.

Iraq’s Transport Ministry said on Saturday that the country’s airspace had been closed. Ministry spokesman Mitham al-Safi informed the Iraqi state news agency of the closure, noting that “the closure was preceded by the evacuation of all air traffic from Iraqi airspace.”

President Trump has wanted a deal to limit Iran’s nuclear program and sees an opportunity as the country struggles internally with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Iran had hoped to avoid war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, such as its long-range missile program or support for armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

On Friday, the Trump administration formally appointed Iran as a state sponsor of unjust detentions.