Iraq closes its airspace as Israel attacks Iran
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iraq’s Ministry of Transport said Saturday that the country’s airspace was closed following Israeli airstrikes on neighboring Iran.
Mitham al-Safi, the ministry’s spokesman, informed the state-run Iraqi News Agency about the closure, stating that “the evacuation of all air traffic in Iraqi airspace took place before the closure.”
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Below is AP’s earlier story.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel launched a daylight attack on Saturday capital of iranClouds of smoke rise from the center of the city. The first apparent attack took place near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranian media reported strikes across the country.
The United States is also participating in the strikes, according to a U.S. official and a person familiar with the operation who spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive military operations. The full extent of American involvement was unclear. The White House declined to immediately comment.
It was also not clear whether 86-year-old Khamenei was in his office at the time. He has not been seen in public for days as tensions with the United States have increased. The attack came as the United States assembled a large fleet of warplanes and warships in the region to pressure Iran. reached an agreement on the nuclear program.
While other explosions were heard in the capital, the roads leading to Khamenei’s compound in downtown Tehran were closed by the authorities.
Targets in the Israeli operation included the Iranian military, government symbols and intelligence targets, according to an official briefed on the operation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic information about the attack.
Trump wants a deal to restrict Iran’s nuclear program and sees opportunity while the country is in dire straits I’m struggling at home with growing opposition do not follow protests across the country. Iran had hoped to avoid a war but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues such as its long-range missile program or support for armed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
It is not yet clear whether Iran will retaliate immediately, but it has warned that American military personnel and bases spread across the region would be the target of any retaliation.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the attack was carried out “to eliminate threats”. He did not immediately go into detail.
Many hospitals in Israel have implemented emergency protocols, including moving patients and surgeries to underground facilities.
In Tehran, eyewitnesses heard the first explosion in Khamenei’s office. Iranian state television later reported the explosion without giving any reason.
While Israel closed its airspace, sirens rang at the same time. The Israeli military said it had issued “a proactive warning to prepare the public for the possibility of missile launches against the state of Israel.”
More explosions occurred in the Iranian capital after Israel announced that it would attack Iran. Authorities did not report any casualties related to the attacks.
Meanwhile, Iran closed its airspace and mobile phone services were cut off.
The warning to pilots came as explosions were heard in Tehran, the capital of Iran.
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Toropin reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Melanie Lidman and Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report.
