Israel launches air strikes on Iran

Iranian state media has acknowledged that there have been explosions in and around the capital, Tehran. But there's no clarity as yet in precisely what the targets have been and whether they have been successfully hit by Israel.

News sites close to the Revolutionary Guards have said that some military bases were targeted. But for now, at least, Iranian media is playing down the impact.

In the latest update, IRNA, the Iranian state news agency has reported that Iran has closed its airspace amid the ongoing Israeli strikes.

A spokesperson for Iran's Civil Aviation Organisation had told IRNA that the country canceled all flights until further notice.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has given a briefing that the US was made aware of Israel's plans beforehand, and that there was no US involvement in the operation. That's significant in Washington's efforts to try to prevent the conflict between Israel and Iran escalating into a confrontation that could move ever closer to all-out war.

The strikes come after Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles on Israel earlier this month. Israel had said it would strike back but did not detail when or what sites it might target.

Iran's attack had come following Israeli strikes that killed Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and Iran Revolutionary Guards Corp Quds Force operations commander Brig-Gen Abbas Nilforoushan.

Meanwhile, Iraq's Minister of Transport says it is closing the country's airspace amid the ongoing military operation in the region.

All air traffic at all airports has been suspended until further notice "due to regional tensions," foreign media reported, quoting an Iraqi state news agency.

Explosions have also been heard near Syria's capital of Damascus, according to foreign media, citing Syrian state TV.

The strikes had targeted military sites in central and southern Syria.

Syrian air defence forces thereafter had intercepted the missiles and shot them down.

Meanwhile, both US President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris, who is campaigning in Texas tonight, have been briefed on Israel's strike on Iran.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has spoken with his counterpart in Israel, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, regarding the attacks.

Source: BBC