United States And Israel Launch Strikes On Iran

The United States and Israel have launched attacks on Iran, with explosions reported across Tehran. Several missiles struck University Street, the Jomhouri area, and other parts of the city.

Israel called the operation Shield of Judah, while the US military named it Operation Epic Fury.

US President Donald Trump said the attacks were aimed at eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. An Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran is preparing a “crushing” retaliation.

Explosions were also reported in northern Israel as the country attempted to intercept incoming Iranian missiles.

The Israeli military said it was using air defence systems to bring down the Iranian fire. There was no immediate word on casualties or damage.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks targeted an “existential threat” and claimed joint action with the US would give the Iranian people a chance to take their fate into their own hands.

A US official told Al Jazeera that the attacks were carried out as a coordinated air and sea operation, with a large fleet of fighter jets and warships deployed to pressure Iran over its nuclear programme.

Israel has declared a state of emergency, and the military issued a public alert warning of possible missile attacks. The Israel Airports Authority closed all civilian airspace and urged people not to travel to airports.

Meanwhile, the US embassy in Qatar instructed all personnel to shelter in place and advised US citizens in the region to do the same. Iraq also closed its national airspace.

An Israeli defence official told Reuters that the attacks had been planned for months, with the launch date decided weeks ago, even as US-Iran negotiations continued.

More: Al Jazeera