The United States and Israel have launched military operations against Iran. Explosions were heard in the capital and several cities at dawn Tehran time, with images of smoke circulating. The Israeli side announced that the attack was a "preventive strike," while US President Donald Trump stated that his country had begun "large-scale combat operations." Airspace in both countries has been closed to civilian flights, and residents in Israel have been warned of the possibility of a retaliatory missile attack.
The editorial reports, citing the BBC, that explosions were recorded in Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah, as well as Tehran. Iranian media reported the closure of airspace. In Israel, sirens were sounded, and citizens were advised to avoid going to work and school, except in cases of necessity, and to refrain from mass gatherings. The incident occurred against the backdrop of weeks of tense negotiations and threats regarding Iran's nuclear program.
Donald Trump stated that the goal is "to protect the American people and eliminate threats from the Iranian regime" and that Iran will not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also issued a similar statement, emphasizing that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons and calling on the Iranian people to oppose the authorities. No official information regarding possible losses and destruction from the Iranian side has been released yet.