Explosions rock Tehran in the early morning after surprise Israeli strikes.

Israel launched a series of airstrikes on sites inside Iran early Friday, June 13th, declaring a state of alert on the home front in anticipation of any response from Tehran. Iranian media reported that loud explosions were heard in various parts of the capital, Tehran, where the shelling targeted several residential areas, resulting in fires and casualties, including children. The official Iranian television confirmed that the Revolutionary Guard headquarters in Tehran was among the targets hit, while a witness in Natanz reported hearing multiple explosions near the Natanz nuclear facility. Iranian authorities suspended all flights to and from Tehran, and the air defense systems were put on high alert. Following the escalation, Iranian leadership held a high-level security meeting to assess the situation and discuss response options. On the other hand, the Israeli Defense Minister stated that Israel carried out a "preemptive strike" to thwart an imminent threat, mentioning the possibility of missile and drone attacks on Israel in the coming hours or days. The Israeli army announced that the operation was part of a "preemptive strike on the Iranian nuclear project," confirming the execution of the first phase of the strikes targeting military and nuclear sites inside Iran. The army issued instructions to modify public safety guidelines, including suspending educational activities, banning gatherings, and reducing presence at workplaces. An Israeli military official revealed that the strikes likely resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian military leaders, including the Chief of Staff, and prominent nuclear scientists, emphasizing that the operation may continue for a long period to eliminate the "existential threat" posed by Iran. In contrast, US sources confirmed to Reuters that Israel carried out these strikes without coordination or direct support from the United States, which promptly convened an emergency meeting led by President Donald Trump, who reiterated his country's commitment to diplomatic solutions regarding the Iranian nuclear issue. In a later development, the Iranian Fars News Agency reported the reactivation of air defenses in the skies of Tehran, indicating ongoing tension and Iran's readiness for further potential escalation.