Channels in Iran associated with the Revolutionary Guards report explosions in Tehran. Defense Minister Israel Katz immediately declares a special state of emergency throughout the entire territory of the State of Israel. Israeli airspace shut down.

By Uzi Baruch, Israel National News

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit officially announced on Friday morning that “following the directive of the political echelon, the IDF launched a preemptive, precise, combined offensive based on high-quality intelligence to strike Iran’s nuclear program, and in response to the Iranian regime’s ongoing aggression against Israel.”

“A short while ago, dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.”

“The public is requested to follow the instructions of the IDF Home Front Command, which will be updated as necessary, and act calmly and responsibly. The IDF and the relevant authorities are prepared for a wide range of scenarios in defense and offense that may be needed,” said the IDF.

“For years, the Iranian regime has been waging a direct and indirect campaign of terror against the State of Israel, by funding and directing terrorist activities via its proxies across the Middle East, while advancing toward obtaining a nuclear weapon. The Iranian regime is at the head of the axis responsible for all terrorist attacks against the State of Israel since the beginning of the ‘Swords of Iron’ War, including by arming and funding the Hamas terror organization which was responsible for the October 7th Massacre. During the “Swords of Iron” War, Iran even directly attacked Israel twice, firing hundreds of missiles toward the State of Israel.”

“The Iranian regime has proclaimed that its objective is to destroy the State of Israel. Senior officials in the Iranian regime have publicly declared their intent to destroy Israel, and are operating to achieve this together with their proxies in the Middle East. Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and a significant threat to the wider world. The State of Israel will not allow a regime whose objective is to destroy the State of Israel to obtain weapons of mass destruction.”

The statement noted, “The IDF has conducted a process of preparations for a campaign on the frontline and on the home front. The resilience of Israel’s citizens will be an important factor of the campaign.”

“The IDF is ready to continue to act as required. The State of Israel has the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past.”

“The IDF is conducting an ongoing situational assessment and will update on any developments,” the statement concluded.

Earlier, channels in Iran associated with the Revolutionary Guards reported explosions in Tehran, as Israel launched its preemptive strike in Iran.

Iran International reported that homes of senior political and defense officials in Iran were attacked.

An Israeli defense official stated, “The likelihood is increasing that the Iranian General Staff, including the Iranian Chief of Staff, and senior nuclear scientists were eliminated in the opening strike.”

Israel’s Security Cabinet gathered for an emergency meeting. Meanwhile, CNN reported that US President Donald Trump will convene his own Cabinet for a meeting.

At the same time, sirens were sounded throughout Israel.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said, “Following a preemptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and drone attack is expected against the State of Israel and its civilian population in the immediate timeframe.”

“Therefore, in accordance with his authority under the Civil Defense Law, Defense Minister Israel Katz has signed a special order, pursuant to which a special state of emergency will be imposed throughout the entire territory of the State of Israel.”

The public is urged to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and to remain in protected spaces.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit stated, “Following the situational assessment, it was determined that as of today (Friday), at 03:00, immediate changes will be made to the Home Front Command Guidelines.”

“As part of the changes, it was decided to shift all areas of the country from Full Activity to Essential Activity.”

The guidelines include: a prohibition on educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, except for essential sectors.

“We are in a strategic window of opportunity. We have reached a point of no return; there is no choice but to act now,” sources in the IDF stated. The IDF is preparing for an operation lasting at least several days, including expectations of heavy barrages from the Iranians.

The IDF further emphasizes that the operation’s goal is “to eliminate threats to the entire State of Israel, targeting the Iranian regime’s nuclear program and its long-range missile firing capabilities. The timing was chosen after recent indications that Iran is racing toward a nuclear bomb. The project is at a stage where, if we do not act now, we will know less with each passing day.”

Additionally, the IDF notes that Iran possesses thousands of ballistic missiles, which in themselves constitute an existential threat. “The IDF has identified attempts to arm proxies in the Middle East against the State of Israel, which in recent years have begun formulating a concrete plan to destroy the State of Israel. Soon, the IDF will launch a campaign asking the public not to share locations of strikes or to document them, and we will work to provide at least a ten-minute warning before missile launches or any other type of event.”