Tel Aviv, February 28 (ANI) — Israel launched a preventive missile attack against Iran on Saturday, prompting nationwide sirens and calls for civilians to seek shelter, Israeli officials said. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) urged the public to remain close to protected spaces as a proactive alert for potential incoming missiles.
Defence Minister Israel Katz described the strikes as preemptive measures intended to eliminate threats to Israel. Following a situational assessment, the IDF ordered immediate changes to Home Front Command guidelines, moving all areas from Full Activity to Essential Activity. Under the revised guidance, educational institutions, public gatherings and most workplaces were suspended, with exceptions only for essential sectors.
A Jerusalem Post security source told Walla that the United States was involved in the operation. An Iranian official told Reuters that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was not in Tehran at the time and had been moved to a secure location.
Iranian state media reported explosions in Tehran. Parts of eastern and western Tehran experienced mobile phone outages, and internet connectivity was reported to have weakened in some areas.
Defence Minister Katz declared an immediate nationwide special state of emergency under Israel’s Civil Defense Law and warned that a missile and drone attack against Israeli territory and its civilian population was expected imminently.
The developments come amid heightened diplomatic and military tensions between the United States and Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump in remarks on Friday described Iran as “very difficult” and “very dangerous” and said Washington faced a consequential decision over its next steps in nuclear negotiations, while expressing a preference for a peaceful resolution. The third round of talks between Iran and the United States took place in Geneva on Thursday, with another round scheduled for today.
Speaking in Texas, Trump said, “We have a big decision to make. You know that. Not easy. We have a very big decision to make,” and criticized Iran’s past actions before saying any deal must be “meaningful.”
This report is based on syndicated material received by ANI and media outlets; the original feed has been published as received.
