Explosions heard near Tehran amid reported Israeli strikes
Sounds of explosions have been heard in and near the Iranian capital, Tehran, amid reports in Israeli media that the Israeli regime is carrying out strikes against Iranian targets, the Islamic Republic News Agency (Irna) reported.
The sounds were heard early on Friday. Unverified images and footage began to appear on social media showing plumes of smoke over Tehran’s skyline.
According to Bernama, the sources of the sounds remain unclear, and the Israeli claims have not been immediately verified.
The Times of Israel cited Israeli Military Affairs Minister Israel Katz as saying that the regime was conducting strikes on Iran. Katz simultaneously declared a state of emergency across Israel.
In recent days, as reports emerged in US and Israeli media about imminent strikes against Iran, Iranian officials warned that any aggression against Iranian territory would have devastating consequences.
US President Donald Trump said yesterday that an Israeli strike on Iran “could very well happen,” while a senior Israeli official told The Wall Street Journal the attack could come as early as Sunday - unless Iran halts its production of material needed for a nuclear bomb.
Reuters reported that US intelligence has observed Israel making preparations for a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. American officials, speaking anonymously, said such an operation could happen in the coming days.
According to the BBC, US officials also expect that Iran could retaliate by targeting American assets in neighbouring Iraq.
Amid escalating tensions, the US advised some of its citizens to leave the region on Wednesday.
The State Department ordered non-essential government staff to leave Iraq, citing “heightened regional tensions.”
The Pentagon has authorised military families across the Middle East to leave voluntarily, a defence official told CBS News.
