Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was moved to a secure location from Tehran, as Israel launched a “preventative” attack on Iran, an official told Reuters.
Israel on Saturday launched a daylight attack on Iran's capital with a cloud of smoke reportedly seen rising from the city's downtown. This was the first apparent strike that happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Seven Missiles reportedly hit the area near the presidential palace and Supreme Leader Khamenei's compound
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The United States is participating in the strikes, though the full extent of its involvement was not immediately clear, a US official told Associated Press.
While it is still unclear whether the 86-year-old Khamenei was in his office at the time of strike, he hasn't been seen publicly amid tensions between Iran and US. Roads to Khamenei's compound in downtown Tehran had been shut down by authorities.
The first blast was heard by witnesses near Khamenei's office. Iranian state television later reported on the explosion, without offering a cause, the report said.
Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time as it closed its airspace. The Israeli military reportedly said that it had issued a “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel." The country also announced the closure of schools and workplaces.
{{/usCountry}}Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time as it closed its airspace. The Israeli military reportedly said that it had issued a “proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel." The country also announced the closure of schools and workplaces.
{{/usCountry}}Also read: Iran, Israel shut airspace as tensions escalate following Tehran strike
The recent development comes after the renewed negotiations in February between Iran and the US to solve the decades-long dispute through diplomacy.
Meanwhile, Israel insisted that any US deal with Iran must include the dismantling of Tehran's nuclear infrastructure, not just stopping the enrichment process, and called for Washington to include restrictions on Iran's missile programme in the talks.
Iran earlier said it was prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear programme in exchange for lifting sanctions, but ruled out linking the issue to missiles.