Israel has carried out five waves of airstrikes against Iran since the early morning of Friday, targeting Iranian nuclear sites and military sites, according to an Israeli military official, while explosions were reported in Tehran and western Iranian provinces.
In this operation named as "Rising Lion," Israeli military sent more than 200 fighter jets to attack Iran in the first wave of the airstrikes, according to an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman.
IDF claimed that Iran has sufficient enriched uranium to produce multiple nuclear bombs within days, prompting the urgent military action.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video address that the ongoing operation against Iran's nuclear infrastructure aims at preventing Iran from threatening Israel, and will continue for days until the threat is eliminated.
According to the report by the Times of Israel, which cited an Israeli defense official, Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz signed an order on Monday, asking the IDF to prepare for the operation, and the final decision was made in coordination with the IDF's Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir.
As part of the emergency measures, Israel declared a state of emergency and closed Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport until further notice while it carried out strikes.
Explosions were heard in Tehran and western provinces in Iran such as Lorestan and Kermanshah in the early hours of Friday.
The strikes hit the headquarters of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran.
Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami was assassinated by Israel, while Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran Mohammad Bagheri and Deputy Army Commander Gholam-Ali Rashid were killed in the airstrikes, according to the local media. Media reports also said that the former secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani was seriously injured in the airstrikes.
Six nuclear scientists were killed in Israel's strike on Iran as well, according to local media.
A nuclear facility at Natanz in Iran's central province of Isfahan was also struck, but Iranian media said there are no signs of nuclear contamination.
Israeli airstrikes also hit a residential building in Tehran, killing five people and injured 20 others, including women and children, according to Iranian state media.
Following the Israel's attacks, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Israel would surely face severe punishment, and the IRGC of Iran warned on the same day that it would resolutely fight back.
Israel launches five waves of airstrikes on Iran: military official
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
