Israel–Iran Conflict

Israel’s Defense Ministry said Saturday it has carried out what it calls a 'preemptive strike' on Iran, claiming it acted because intelligence indicated a missile and drone attack from Iran was expected 'in the immediate future.' The scope, targets and damage from the strike were not immediately clear, but explosions were heard in Tehran and Iranian state television acknowledged an explosion without attributing a cause. Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz simultaneously declared a nationwide state of emergency, ordering citizens to follow Home Front Command instructions and remain in protected areas as air‑raid sirens sounded across the country. The Israel Defense Forces said the sirens and alerts were a 'proactive' step to ready the public for possible incoming missiles. The U.S. military declined immediate comment, but with American forces already massed in the region for a potential confrontation with Iran, this escalation sharply raises the risk of direct Iranian retaliation and broader regional war that could draw in U.S. assets and citizens.