Around 10:00 AM Iranian time (07:00 AM CET), Israel and the United States launched a series of air raids defined as "preemptive" against various targets in the capital, Tehran, and other areas of Iran, conducted, for the time being, in two waves.

During the first wave, three explosions were reportedly recorded within the capital. In the second wave, Israel and the United States also struck the city of Tabriz and, specifically, the Seyyed Khandan district of Tehran, where the Ministry of Defense is located, in addition to the cities of Qom, Khorammabad, Karaj, Kermanshah, Isfahan, Ilam, Chabahar, and Bushehr. Several IAF F-15 fighters were involved in the raids, launching long-range stand-off munitions. The route followed by the Israeli fighters is once again the Syrian-Iraqi corridor, with aerial tankers operating undisturbed in Syrian skies. Additionally, some of the attacks were conducted with TOMAHAWK missiles (at least 20), as evidenced by several videos—an element that clearly indicates this is already a joint operation with the United States, as confirmed by Donald Trump a few minutes ago.

Trump further declared, addressing the Iranian people, that "Your hour of freedom is near, do not leave your homes because there will be bombs everywhere. When we are finished, you will take control—this is your opportunity." In his speech, the US President also stated clearly— should there be any remaining doubts — that the objective of the "massive military operation underway" is the fall of the regime, the complete neutralization of the Iranian missile program which will be "leveled to the ground," the annihilation of the Iranian Navy, and the dismantling of Tehran's proxy network in the region (or what remains of it, Ed.). Furthermore, addressing US citizens, he warned that "there may be casualties among US personnel in the region." Finally, Trump issued an appeal to the Pasdaran, the Iranian Armed Forces, and the Police Forces, ordering them to lay down their arms in exchange for complete immunity or face certain death.

Judging by the scale of the attacks, it would appear, at least for now, to be a series of targeted actions against the Iranian chain of command and specifically the Pasdaran (IRGC). Among the targets of the raids are Supreme Leader Khamenei and the entire Iranian political-military leadership (including President Pezeshkian), who were likely caught by surprise by the attack, which was conducted during the day and within a diplomatic context that anticipated a new round of talks in the coming days: evidently, the US and Israel sought to maximize the surprise effect.

Currently, among the approximately 30 targets struck in Iran are the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), the Ministry of Defense, the Pasdaran Intelligence Headquarters, and the Residence of the Supreme Leader.

The Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv, which has named the operation SHIELD OF JUDAH, has declared a state of emergency across the country and instructed citizens to stay near shelters in view of a possible Iranian reprisal. The closure of airspace for all commercial flights in Israel and the suspension of all non-essential activities have also been announced.

A couple of hours before the start of the attack, the Israeli Air Force conducted a series of raids against several Hezbollah rocket launcher positions in southern Lebanon, with the aim of preventing potential attacks from the north and "clearing" possible launch zones.

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The Iranian reprisal has begun with the launch of ballistic missiles: three salvos of a handful of missiles each within the last hour directed toward Israel, primarily the Haifa and Beer Sheva areas. Missile launches have also occurred against military bases in the Gulf, specifically the naval base in Bahrain, which was hit, and Al Udeid (Qatar), with US and Qatari air defenses in action. Missiles were also fired against bases in Kuwait, and air defences are active in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

Impacts have also been reported in Israel, in Haifa, in Ashkelon, and Jerusalem. Meanwhile, attacks in Iran by the Israeli Air Force continue with the support of US aerial tankers. According to local press sources, the Jewish State has also recalled 20,000 reservists.

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