Middle East crisis Iran attack

Israel and US attack Iran with several missiles – smoke clouds visible over Tehran

Israel has attacked Iran. This is stated by the country's Defense Minister Israel Katz, writes Reuters. The minister describes it as a "preventive attack" to protect the Israeli people. The United States is also participating in the attack, the Americans confirm later on Saturday morning.

From the Israeli side, the operation is called "Roaring Lion", while the Americans call the operation "Epic Fury".

Witnesses tell the AP that they have heard explosions in the capital Tehran. Smoke is also visible in the city. According to state-owned media, several missiles have hit. Telephony and internet have been knocked out to some extent.

The attacks are said to have taken place near the office of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. A spokesman for Khamenei tells Reuters that he has been taken to safety. The attacks are said to have targeted several different ministries.

Iran has closed its airspace.

Panic and chaos reign in Tehran, writes the New York Times. Saturday is the first day of the week in Iran and millions of people are at work and at school.

At the same time, the air raid sirens are sounding in Israel with a warning that there is a risk of missile attacks from Iran in the near future. A state of emergency has been declared in Israel. The airspace has been closed and all flights have been canceled, writes the Times of Israel. 

Panic in Tehran: “The girls hid under the stairs”

Residents in Tehran describe panic and chaos on the streets in connection with the US and Israeli missile attack. Saturday is the first day of the week in Iran, and millions of people are at work and at school, reports the New York Times.

Ali Zeinalipoor, who lives in Tehran, immediately ran to school to pick up his daughter.

“The girls were hiding under the stairs and crying,” he wrote in a text message to the NYT.

From her rooftop in northern Tehran, Golshan Fathi saw several fighter jets.

“People were standing on the roof and pointing down. You can hear women screaming. Some of my neighbors are running to their cars. It feels like we’re in a movie,” she wrote.

The US and Israeli attack comes after widespread protests against the Iranian regime earlier this year that were met with deadly violence by the regime. Arian, who lives west of the capital, says some of his relatives are celebrating the attacks on Iran.

Earlier this morning, Donald Trump urged Iranians to revolt against the government when the bombing stops.

“The only thing we’re thinking about is getting to safety. No one’s thinking about demonstrating right now,” says lawyer and mother of two Laleh. 

Sources: Several high-ranking commanders in Iran's Revolutionary Guard were killed

Several high-ranking politicians and commanders in Iran's Revolutionary Guard were killed in this morning's Israeli and American attacks, an Iranian source close to the regime told Reuters, who could not independently confirm the claim.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials say that both Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian were targeted in the attacks. Iran, however, says both have been taken to safety.

According to Iran's semi-state news agency Isna, thousands of members of the Revolutionary Guard have been killed or wounded, but this information is unconfirmed.