JERUSALEM, Israel — Israeli fighter jets backed by US forces struck targets across Iran early Saturday in what Defence Minister Israel Katz described as a pre-emptive attack, prompting Tehran to fire ballistic missiles at Israel and US bases in the Gulf.
The operation, dubbed “The Roar of the Lion” by Israeli officials, targeted ballistic missile sites and military installations in western Iran, including Kermanshah, Tabriz, Isfahan and the capital Tehran.
Explosions were reported in central Tehran, with smoke rising over areas near University Street, Jomhouri, Keshvardoost and Pasteur, districts close to offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian state television confirmed what it called “aerial aggression by the Zionist regime” and said air defences were activated.
In a televised address, Katz declared a nationwide state of emergency.
“The State of Israel has launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel,” he said, warning of imminent missile and drone retaliation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel and the United States had embarked on an operation to remove what he called an existential threat posed by Iran’s leadership. He thanked US President Donald Trump for his support and said the campaign would continue as needed.
In Washington, Trump confirmed US involvement in what he termed “major combat operations” under “Operation Epic Fury”, accusing Iran of seeking to rebuild its nuclear programme and develop long-range missiles.
Iran responded by launching ballistic missiles towards Israel, triggering air raid sirens in multiple regions. The Israeli military said it intercepted incoming projectiles while continuing strikes on Iranian targets.
In the Gulf, Iranian missiles targeted US facilities including Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, the US Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Regional air defences reported intercepting most threats.
In Abu Dhabi, falling debris from an interception killed one civilian, according to authorities. Airspace closures were announced across parts of the Gulf, with Emirates and Etihad suspending or delaying flights and Qatar Airways halting operations to and from Doha.
Saudi Arabia condemned what it described as Iranian aggression, while Bahrain called the strike on its territory a violation of sovereignty. Qatar reported no casualties but temporarily suspended maritime navigation.
French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council, warning of wider regional consequences.
Hospitals in Israel shifted some operations underground and US embassies in Gulf states issued shelter-in-place advisories, as tensions surged across the region.
