The initial reported strike took place in the vicinity of the offices belonging to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

It remains uncertain whether the 86-year-old Khamenei was present in his offices during the incident.

Khamenei has not appeared in public for several days as tensions with the United States have intensified.

This attack occurs amidst a significant U.S. military buildup in the region, featuring an array of fighter jets and naval vessels aimed at pressuring Iran into negotiating its nuclear program.

Former President Trump aimed to secure an agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear activities, viewing the country’s internal unrest, highlighted by widespread protests, as an opening.

While Iran seeks to avoid conflict, it insists on its right to enrich uranium and remains reluctant to discuss other contentious issues, such as its missile capabilities or its backing of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Iran would immediately strike back, but it had warned that American military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targets for any retaliation.

The Israeli government declared a state of emergency because of the expectation of Iranian retaliation with drones and ballistic missiles.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done “to remove threats.” He did not immediately elaborate.

In Tehran, witnesses heard the blast. Iranian state television later reported on the explosion, without offering a cause.

Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time. The Israeli military said that it had issued a “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel.”

More explosions struck Iran’s capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities have offered no casualty information from the strikes.

Meanwhile, Iran shut down its airspace and mobile phone services were cut.

The warning to pilots came out as explosions rang out across Tehran, the Iranian capital.

– Reported with Associated Press and CNN.

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