Israel Strikes Iran: Nationwide Emergency Declared Following Pre-emptive Missile Strike

TEL AVIV February 28, 2026 — In a major escalation of Middle Eastern hostilities, Israel has launched a series of high-precision pre-emptive strikes against strategic targets in Iran, triggering a nationwide state of emergency across the Jewish state.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense confirmed the operation early Saturday morning, with Defense Minister Israel Katz stating that the military action was necessary to “remove immediate threats” to national security.

Explosions were reported in the heart of Tehran, specifically near government districts and the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while thick plumes of smoke were seen rising over the Iranian capital.

Reports indicate that the operation, reportedly codenamed “Shield of Judah,” was conducted in coordination with United States forces, following the expiration of a diplomatic ultimatum regarding Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The regional volatility reached a fever pitch as air raid sirens blared across every major Israeli city, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, at approximately 8:15 a.m. local time.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described the sirens as a “proactive alert” intended to prepare the civilian population for imminent retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Tehran or its regional proxies. In response to the high-alert status, the Israeli government has shuttered its airspace to all passenger flights, closed schools nationwide, and mandated that citizens remain within close proximity to bomb shelters for at least the next 48 hours.

While the full extent of the damage in Iran remains unclear, Iranian state media confirmed multiple missile impacts in the Jomhuri and University districts, as regional military forces on both sides move to a maximum readiness posture.