Israel has launched an attack on Iran, striking targets in Tehran.
A U.S. official has confirmed to TWZ that the U.S. is attacking Iran. Including strikes from air and sea, the official said. See updates down below.
Details remain extremely limited at this time, but what we know is that Israel struck targets as part of what it is calling a preemptive strike. Images from the capital show smoke plumes rising in urban areas. In addition, we have seen video from Iraq showing what appear to be low flying cruise missiles or possibly fighter aircraft. Iraq has been the primary access point for the Israeli Air Force in past strikes on Iran.
Some on the ground are saying the strikes targeted Iranian leadership installations in the city, particularly those used by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, although we cannot confirm that at this time. Geolocation info will soon be coming that should shed light on the target set.
The IDF posted the following on X, stating:
The State of Israel has launched a preemptive attack against Iran. Israel’s Minister of Defense, Israel Katz, declares a special and immediate state of emergency throughout the state The State of Israel has initiated a preemptive attack against Iran to remove threats directed against the State of Israel. As a result, missile and drone launches against the State of Israel and its civilian population are expected in the very near term. Therefore, pursuant to his authority under the Civil Defense Law, Minister of Defense Israel Katz has now signed a special order mandating the imposition of a special state of emergency in the Home Front throughout the State of Israel, effective immediately. The instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities must be followed, and individuals must remain in protected areas.
U.S. Central Command has declined to comment on the strikes in response to our direct inquiry to them.
This is a rapidly developing situation and we are going into rolling coverage on it below. Newest updates will be posted on top.
UPDATE: 5:45 AM EST—
It appears that Iran attacked U.S.-related sites in Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Iraq and Kuwait. We are also hearing Saudi Arabia, but that is not confirmed. We are now getting responses from these countries condemning the attacks and some saying they reserve to right to respond. This is exactly how this conflict would quickly widen, as we have discussed for years, and most recently in this in-depth feature.
We are seeing video of flaming missile bodies on the ground in Syria and other locales. Whether they are a part of the ballistic missile or the interceptor isn’t clear in most cases.
A major set of strikes appear to have done significant damage to a mountainside facility in eastern Iran that that is related to IRGC ballistic missile capabilities. Destroying the entrances to the missile caves is critical to lock as many of the weapons inside.
UPDATE: 5:15AM EST—
Fox News reports a U.S. official says American forces are not targeting regime targets. Instead they are going after military, industrial, especially missile-related ones. Israel is going after the regime.
IDF reportedly is now stating it is going after the top of the regime:
IDF has warned Iranians near military-related industry in Iran:
“Urgent Warning to All Individuals Located Inside or Near Military Industrial Factories and Military Infrastructure Across Iran. You are in proximity to weapons and facilities that are dangerous. Dear Citizens, for the sake of your safety and health, we kindly request that you immediately evacuate these areas and remain outside them until a new announcement is issued. Your presence in these locations puts your life at risk.”
Video shows F-15C Bazs taking off on a sortie for today’s operation. It is armed with AIM-7 Sparrows, still not uncommon for IAFs F-15A-Ds. Still, a bit odd for the general mission. It also does not have external tanks. Possibly on domestic counter-drone duty, if indeed the video depicts what it claims.
UPDATE: 5AM EST —
From an IDF official to TWZ: “Confirm on attacks in Bahrain and Qatar. We are being striked and missile attack all over Israel. We are being informed that Bahrain Qatar and Jordan are being attacked as well.”
Videos show intercept occurring over Dubai:
UPDATE: 4:50 AM EST—
We are seeing a sizable impact from an Iranian missile on the 5th Fleet HQ in Bahrain.
We are also seeing videos claiming to show smoke rising in the UAE.
A number of the USAF tankers that were in Tel Aviv have taken off:
A video that shows an armada of fighters over Syria from this morning has surfaced:
UPDATE: 4:26 AM EST—
Iran is striking back across the Middle East, including Israel and U.S. interests along the Persian Gulf:
UPDATE: 4:10AM EST—
Iran appears (still unconfirmed) to have struck the Navy’s facility in Bahrain, the epicenter of the 5th Fleet.
A statement from the IDF gives a better overview of what the campaign seeks to accomplish:
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit announces that the IDF and the US Armed Forces have launched a broad and joint operation to thoroughly degrade the Iranian terrorist regime and to remove existential threats to the State of Israel over time.
The strike targeted dozens of military targets and was carried out as part of a broad, coordinated, and joint operation against the regime.
The Iranian regime has not abandoned its plan to destroy Israel. In recent months, and despite the severe blow it sustained during Operation “Rising Lion”, the IDF identified that the regime continued efforts to advance production, fortify, and conceal its nuclear program, alongside rehabilitating its missile production processes.
In addition, the regime has continued financing, training, and arming its proxies positioned on Israel’s borders. These actions constitute an existential threat to the State of Israel and pose a danger to the Middle East and the world as a whole.
In the months preceding the strike, close and joint planning was conducted between the IDF and the U.S. military, enabling the execution of the broad strike in full synchronization and coordination between the two militaries. The IDF, across all its branches, carried out a meticulous and long-term preparation process for this operation — both in defensive systems and in various offensive plans.
Video claiming to show an TLAM over Tehran:
UPDATE: 4AM EST—
Netanyahu has now made an address, it states in part:
My brothers and sisters, citizens of Israel, just an hour ago, Israel and the United States embarked on an operation to remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran. I thank our great friend, President Donald Trump, for his historic leadership. For 47 years, the Ayatollahs’ regime has chanted “Death to Israel,” “Death to America.” It has spilled our blood, murdered many Americans, and massacred its own people. This murderous terrorist regime must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons that would enable it to threaten all of humanity.
Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands. The time has come for all parts of the Iranian people—the Persians, Kurds, Azeris, Baloch, and Ahwazis—to cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring freedom and peace-loving values to Iran.
I call on you, citizens of Israel, to heed the instructions of the Home Front Command. In the coming days, during Operation “Lion’s Roar,” we will all be called upon to show patience and strength of spirit. Together we will stand, together we will fight, and together we will ensure the eternity of Israel.
Right on time, the Houthis are now saying they are closing the Bab El Mandeb Strait that connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
U.S. Mission in UAE and the Embassy in Jordan have also sent shelter-in-place alerts:
One of Israel’s prized submarines, which alas carry the country’s undeclared second strike nuclear deterrent, was seen booking it out of Haifa:
Hezbollah in Lebanon also got struck this morning.
A prayer app that is popular in Iran has been hacked:
An unexploded Tomahawk warhead is seen on the ground in Iraq:
UPDATE: 3:39 AM EST—
Pentagon has named this campaign Operation Epic Fury.
Reports are coming in that ballistic missiles hit Haifa in Israel:
Air travel in the region is highly disrupted, with flights trying to figure out how to reroute around the conflict zone:
The IRGC has put out a statement:
“In the name of God, the Crusher of the Tyrants: In response to the hostile and criminal enemy’s aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the first wave of extensive missile and drone attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the occupied territories has begun.”
Iran’s Ministry of Interior condemns the strikes and states:
“It brings to the attention of the great people of Islamic Iran that the criminal enemy, once again violating all international laws and during the negotiations, has again attacked our beloved homeland.”
UPDATE: 3:26 AM EST—
The IDF says a barrage of missiles is inboard from Iran.
Internet traffic in Iran has plummeted. Meanwhile Iranian state news says checkpoints are being set up and not to post any images or videos of targeted areas. It also warns of extreme instability in the coming hours.
UPDATE: 3:01 AM EST—
There are reports that major Iranian Navy/IRGC Navy bases on the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea have been hit. This would make perfect sense to preempt a mining operation or attempted closure of the strait.
We are also getting more indications of what was hit in Tehran. Regime, nuclear, and security apparatus targets.
Now the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain is sending a shelter-in-place alert. Bahrain is a major center of gravitas for the U.S. military and home of the 5th Fleet.
Images are emerging showing spent boosters of Israel’s air-launched ballistic missiles laying in fields in Eastern Iraq. This is customary for IAF attacks on Iran at this point, with these weapons largely used to destroy air defenses and hit critical command and control related targets deep in Iran without putting manned aircraft at risk. We were first to report on these launches during Israel’s first direct strikes on Iran, which you can read about here. You can also read more about the latest of this unique class of weapon in the IAF’s inventory here.
Israeli KC-707 supposedly spotted refueling fighters over Syria:
Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, whose fatally ill father, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, fled Iran ahead of the 1979 Islamic revolution, is now living in exile in the U.S. He has been instrumental in urging Iranians to protest the regime.
In a statement on X, Pahlavi urged Iranian military, police and security forces to take action against the regime to protect the people.
“You have sworn an oath to protect Iran and the Iranian people—not the Islamic Republic and its leaders. Your duty is to defend the people, not a regime that has taken our homeland hostage through repression and crime. Join the people and help bring about a stable and secure transition. Otherwise, you will go down with Khamenei’s sinking ship and his regime.”
UPDATE: 2:45 AM EST—
Trump has addressed what he calls a “major combat operation inside Iran.” He lists Iran’s history of nefarious operations against the U.S. and others for decades and says he “isn’t going to put up with it anymore.” Trump says Iran will never have nuclear weapons and he will destroy their missiles and their missile industries, annihilate their Navy, and they will no longer be able to support proxies across the Middle East. He says there may be casualties as part of the operation. Trump tells Iranian troops and security forces that they will get immunity if they lay down their arms, or the alternative is they “will face certain death.” He tells the Iranian people to stay home as “bombs will be dropping everywhere” and the government will be theirs for the taking.
UPDATE: 2:27AM EST—
Israel’s N12 is reporting that the operation name is “Roar Of The Lion.”
N12 also claims a source said the Supreme Leader is in a secure hideout. Reuters also reported this.
Strikes are occurring at sites throughout Iran. While these could be targeting time sensitive targets, many of these strikes would be used to prepare the battlefield for aircraft operations over Iran. In other words, degrading and destroying what’s left of Iran’s air defenses so strike aircraft can more safely operate over the country. These operations would likely occur tonight under the cover of darkness, where direct attacks on targets can be made. So tonight will look nothing like what we are seeing today.
UPDATE: 2:15AM EST—
A U.S. official has confirmed to TWZ that the U.S. is attacking Iran.
Meanwhile the Mossad is asking Iranians to “return Iran to its glorious days.”
We are getting unconfirmed reports that Israel has assassinated Iran’s defense minister.
UPDATE: 1:55AM EST—
Israel is preparing for a reprisal strike:
In the last few minutes, sirens were sounded all throughout Israel, with an advance instruction alert directly to cellular devices to stay within proximity to protected spaces. This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel. The IDF emphasizes that the public is requested to stay in proximity to protected spaces.
Flights are currently diverting away from the region and Iran has closed its airspace.
It appears USAF transport aircraft are trying to leave the ground prior to any kind of reprisal strikes. One ACARS message told a C-17 crew to remain on the ground in Jordan for as little time as possible not long before the strikes.
The daytime nature of the attacks would point to time sensitive targets being hit.
CNN is reporting that the U.S. was at least in coordination with Israel on the strikes, but that is not surprising at all even if Israel acted unilaterally in the kinetic action itself. There had been reports that the Trump administration favored Israel striking first so that it could then jump in once Iran responded with its own strikes.
A shelter-in-place order has been broadcasted in Qatar, home to the U.S. military’s largest installation in the region and what is presumed (and previously demonstrated) as the top U.S. target of Iran.
An Israel KC-707 was seen departing today, likely to support the strike operation. Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant posted simply “Good luck” with U.S. and Israeli flags on his X account along with an image of an IAF F-15D and him talking to crews.