IRAN – US-Israel launch operation Lion’s Roar against Iran: Thick smoke was seen on Saturday rising in Tehran, Isfahan, Karaj, and Kermanshah after loud explosions were heard following US-Israeli strikes on Iran in what the Israeli Defense Minister called “preemptive strikes.”

A national state of emergency was in effect across Israel following the strikes, which according to Israeli media were being conducted by both US and Israel.

Local report say that the strikes are targeting the Iranian presidential facility, homes of Iranian leaders as well as locations where Iran could attack from.

A second wave of attacks were reported, with Israel claiming it’s ready for a potential Iranian attack.

Israeli airspace was closed and all gatherings prohibited.

Sirens were reported across Israel after the strikes.

Trump Confirms US Participation

Donald Trump confirmed launching “major combat operations” in the Islamic republic.

“Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” Trump said in a video posted on his Truth Social account.

The president vowed to destroy Iran’s missiles, raze its missile industry to the ground and annihilate the navy, reiterating that it cannot have a nuclear weapon.

“We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated,” Trump said.

The attacks come as talks over Iran’s nuclear program have been ongoing under Oman’s mediation. A new round of talks in Geneva ended on Thursday.

Last June, the US struck three Iranian nuclear sites towards the end of the 12-day Israel-Iran war.

Several IRGC Personnel Reported Killed

Initial Israeli strikes on Iran on Saturday killed and wounded numerous Revolutionary Guard personnel, including key operational staff, ISNA news agency reported, citing a source.

Further explosions followed the strikes in the cities of Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Lorestan, the Mehr news agency said, indicating the attacks extended beyond the capital.

Senior Iranian officials were also targeted in the Israeli attack on Tehran, according to Israeli media reports.

Israeli Channel 12 said Israel is preparing in the initial phase for four days of intense joint attacks on Iran, citing a security official.

In response, Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliament National Security Committee, said in a post on US social media company X: “We warned you! Now you have started down a path which end is no longer in your control.”