JERUSALEM: Israel's defence ministry announced Saturday it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat.
"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," read a statement from his ministry.
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.
