The situation in the Middle East has sharply escalated, turning into a full-scale military confrontation. Israel, together with the USA, has launched a large-scale operation against Iran, which experts are already calling more significant than the attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025. In the morning, Israel officially announced that it had initiated a "preventive strike," leading to the declaration of a state of emergency across the country: schools and offices are closed, and mass gatherings are prohibited. Defense Minister Katz confirmed the introduction of the state of emergency, and Israeli state television Kan reported that the operation has been named "Shield of Judah."
The USA is actively participating in the hostilities, striking Iranian targets from both the air and the sea. Although the Central Command of the US Armed Forces declined to comment on its involvement in the operation, American officials confirmed in a conversation with The New York Times that plans had been developed several months ago. The bombing targets included both military facilities and several ministries in southern Tehran. According to Channel 12 of Israeli television, the target of the attack is the top leadership of Iran.
Inside Iran, the situation remains extremely tense. Powerful explosions have been heard in Tehran, recorded at least five times, as well as in other cities such as Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Karaj. The Iranian agency Press TV reports casualties among the civilian population as a result of the attacks from Tel Aviv and Washington. In anticipation of a possible retaliatory strike from Iran, a state of heightened combat readiness has been declared in the region, and global markets have already begun to react to the sharp escalation of the conflict.
