The Israel Defense Forces on Thursday said that it had launched strikes on what it claimed were nuclear targets and also on other sites in Iran with an aim of stalling Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Israeli fighter jets “completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets” in Iran, the Israeli armed forces said.

Iranian military chief Mohammad Bagheri and Hossein Salami, the chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, were killed in the attack, Iranian state-run Islamic Republic news agency reported. The IRGC is the primary unit of the Iranian Armed Forces.

Tel Aviv claimed that Tehran was “closer than ever to obtaining” a nuclear weapon. “Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world,” said the Israel Defense Forces.

Iran has for long maintained that its nuclear programme is for civil purposes.

The Israeli military claimed that it had “no choice but to fulfil the obligation to act in defence of its citizens…”.

Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson BG Effie Defrin said that the “pre-emptive” strikes were carried out “in order to prevent the Iranian regime’s ability to build the nuclear bomb in the immediate time frame”.

Several explosions were heard in Iran’s capital Tehran at about 3 am local time, Al Jazeera reported. Strikes were also reported on the cities of Arak, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Tabriz.

The Islamic Republic News Agency said that casualties were being reported in Tehran.

Iran vows to retaliate

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, vowed to respond to the Israeli attack.

In a statement, Khamenei said that Israel had sealed a “bitter and painful” destiny for itself by attacking Iran. Israel “should await a harsh response”, Iranian state-run media quoted Khamenei as saying.

In anticipation of retaliation by Iran, Tel Aviv on Friday declared a nationwide state of emergency, The Times of Israel reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that Israel’s military operation – codenamed Rising Lion – had “struck at the heart” of the Iranian nuclear enrichment programme and ballistic missile programme.

Israeli forces had struck Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz city, Netanyahu said, adding that the strikes “would continue for as many days as it takes”.

Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, confirmed that the Natanz site was targeted. The global nuclear watchdog was “in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels”, Grossi said.

The United States said that Israel’s decision to strike Iran was taken unilaterally. In a statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington was “not involved” in the strikes and that Iran “should not target US interests or personnel”.

Washington is an ally of Israel and acts as a guarantor of the country’s security.

Fox News quoted President Donald Trump as saying that the US will defend Israel if Iran retaliates.

India urges citizens to be vigilant

India said on Friday that it was concerned about the developments between Iran and Israel and urged both sides to avoid escalatory steps.

“Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues,” stated the Ministry of External Affairs. “India enjoys close and friendly relations with both the countries and stands ready to extend all possible support.”

The Indian diplomatic mission in Tehran on Friday advised Indian citizens to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary movements, follow the embassy’s social media accounts and “observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities”.

The Indian embassy in Tel Aviv urged Indian citizens to “stay vigilant and adhere to the safety protocols as advised by the Israeli authorities and home front command”.

“Please exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel within the country and stay close to safety shelters,” the embassy added.

Air India on Friday said that 16 of its flights were either being diverted or returning to their origin due to the closure of Iranian airspace.

The airline said that it will offer refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling to its customers who opt for it. “Alternative arrangements are being made to fly passengers to their destinations,” it added.

This is a developing story. It will be updated as new details are available.