JERUSALEM: Israel's defense ministry announced on Saturday that it had launched a "pre-emptive strike" on Iran, as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat, while US President Donald Trump said the United States had launched “major combat operations” against Iran.
US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that "major combat" is underway to destroy Iran's missile forces and "annihilate" the country's navy.
"The United States' military began major combat operations in Iran," Trump said in a video message posted on his social media site while he spent the weekend at his Florida golf club. "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime."
"We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally -- again -- obliterated. We're going to annihilate their navy," Trump said.
He offered the military there "immunity" or "certain death" and told Iranians the "hour of your freedom is at hand."
A statement from Israel's defense ministry, stated, "The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike against Iran. Defence Minister Israel Katz has declared a special and immediate state of emergency throughout the country".
Authorities in Jerusalem have issued an "extremely serious alert," prompting sirens throughout the city.
Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on Saturday morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.
"The type of explosions suggests that this is a missile attack," the Fars news agency reported, without immediately providing further details.
Israel, Iran close airspace
"Following the security developments, the Minister of Transportation has ordered the Director of the Israel Civil Aviation Authority to close the airspace of the State of Israel to civilian flights," the minister, Miri Regev, announced.
Meanwhile, Iran also closed its airspace until further notice, according to its civil aviation body.
Iraq closes its airspace
Iraq closed its airspace on Saturday, state media said, after Israel said it carried out strikes against Iran.
"The ministry of transport announces closing Iraqi airspace," the Iraq News Agency INA reported.
Explosions rock Iranian cities
Meanwhile, state-run IRNA news agency reported explosions also rocked Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah.
