Israel launched preemptive strikes on Iran as explosions hit Tehran. Dozens of targets were reportedly struck, airspace closed in Israel and Iraq, and flights suspended at Erbil airport.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Israel has launched attacks on Iran, signaling a major escalation, as multiple explosions were reported in Tehran and airspace closures spread across the region.
Three explosions were heard in Tehran on Saturday morning, according to ARS News, as Israel’s defense minister announced the start of what he described as a “preemptive” attack against Iran.
Reuters, citing Israel’s Defense Ministry, reported that Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iran.
Shortly after the announcement, Israel’s Home Front Command said sirens were sounding across all areas of Israel.
Mehr News Agency reported that heavy smoke was rising from the locations of the explosions in Tehran. Fars News Agency said missiles struck University Street and the Republic area in the Iranian capital.
New explosions were later reported in northern and eastern Tehran. According to Iranian media, an Israeli airstrike targeted a site near the presidential palace in Tehran.
Israel’s Channel 12, citing sources, reported that dozens of regime-affiliated targets in Iran were struck. An Israeli official told Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper that there had been a large number of assassinations in Iran and that “every missile has a target.”
Israel’s defense minister declared a “special state” on the home front across the entire country after announcing the launch of the preemptive attack.
In an official statement issued by Israel’s Ministry of Defense under the Civil Defense Law, 5711-1951, the minister said: “Under my authority pursuant to Section 9C(b)(1) of the Civil Defense Law, 5711-1951, and after being convinced that there is a high probability of an attack on the civilian population, I hereby declare a special state on the home front throughout the entire territory of the country.”
The declaration will remain in effect for 48 hours, beginning at 10:08 on Feb. 28, 2026. The statement added: “This has already been revealed.”
Israel’s Channel 12 reported the closure of airspace across all of Israel. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority said foreign civilian aircraft in route to Israel turned back due to the bombardment of Tehran and further reported what it described as joint Israeli-American attacks on Iran.
Ahmed Hoshyar, Director of Erbil International Airport, told Kurdistan24 that flights have been suspended. He said operations were halted 10 minutes earlier and that the airspace of all Iraq has been closed, and also warning siren was also heard inside the Erbil consulate compound.
