Jews are running to shelters at this time as Iran prepares retaliation against Israel and its response “will be crushing,” as an Iranian official told Reuters, after the Israeli strikes that hit multiple targets and led to an abrupt escalation of tension between the two regional rivals.
According to the same official, several ministries in the southern part of Tehran were targeted by the attacks.
Explosions were also reported in Tabriz, in the northwest of the country, as reported by the state news agency IRNA.
Witnesses told Reuters that long queues formed at fuel stations throughout Tehran, while many residents are leaving the capital, a development that reflects the growing concern of public opinion as fears of a generalized conflict intensify.
From the Israeli side, an official from the Ministry of Defense stated that the operation had been planned for months and that the start date had been finalized weeks ago, suggesting that the strikes are part of a premeditated strategy and not a spontaneous reaction.
The latest developments constitute one of the most serious direct confrontations between the two countries in recent years and increase the risk of broader regional escalation, if Tehran implements its threat of retaliation.
Northern Israel rocked by explosions
Powerful explosions occurred in northern Israel, as Israeli forces were attempting to intercept incoming Iranian missiles, following the launch of a nationwide attack jointly with the United States against Iran.
The explosions were heard shortly after the Israeli army announced that it would use air defense systems to shoot down the Iranian fire.
So far there are no official reports of damage or casualties from the ongoing attack.
The Israeli army stated that the missiles launched from Iran were identified as heading toward Israel, triggering sirens in many areas of the country.
“The public is called upon to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command,” a statement said. “The Israeli Air Force is currently operating to intercept and strike the threats where required, in order to neutralize the danger.”
The statement further emphasizes that “the defense is not absolute, and therefore it is vital that the public continue to comply with the instructions of the Home Front Command.”
Tehran declares all US and Israeli assets in the Middle East “legitimate targets”
A senior Iranian official told Al Jazeera that Iran is warning Israel to “prepare for what is coming,” adding that “our response will be public and there are no red lines.”
“All American and Israeli assets and interests in the Middle East have now become legitimate targets. After this attack there are no red lines and everything is possible, including scenarios that were previously not taken into account,” the official stressed.
“The United States and Israel launched an aggression and a war that will have broad and long-term consequences. We were not surprised by the joint American-Israeli attack and we have a complex response without time limitation,” he said, adding that any requests for restraint or retreat on the part of Iran are “unacceptable and merely wishful thinking.”
Flight cancellations and airspace closures
Wizz Air suspends all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Amman until 7 March.
Lufthansa suspends Saturday and Sunday flights to and from Dubai, Tel Aviv, Beirut and Muscat.
KLM cancels flights from Amsterdam to Tel Aviv.
Oman Air suspends all flights to Baghdad.
Russia suspends all flights to Iran and Israel.
Kuwait suspends all flights to Iran until further notice.
Iraq cancels all incoming and outgoing flights, closing its airspace.
Israel cancels all civil flights, closing its airspace.
Call for calm from Iran
The Ministry of Interior of Iran reported that “the criminal enemy, once again, violating all international laws and in the midst of negotiations, attacked our beloved homeland again,” according to the Tasmin agency.
In its statement, the ministry instructed governors across the country to recall previous directives and the “immediate reports on the situation in the provinces,” as well as the “mobilization of all means to cover the urgent needs of the population.”
Massive military deployment - The largest since 2003 - More than 300 aircraft ready to strike Iran
The military mobilization ordered by the White House is considered the largest American deployment of forces in the region since the war in Iraq in 2003.
The United States is reinforcing bases in the Persian Gulf, deploying air defense systems and increasing its naval presence.
Tehran has already responded rhetorically, warning that in the event of an attack it will target American bases in the region.
Such a development could directly involve Israel, which was engaged in a 12 day conflict with Iran last year, intensifying the risk of a generalized war.
The ultra modern aircraft carrier “USS Gerald R. Ford” (CVN-78) is already in Israeli territorial waters, as it constitutes part of the preparations for the military attack of the United States against Iran.
According to local media and bloggers, the aircraft carrier, the newest and most technologically advanced ship of the United States Navy, is currently in the area of Haifa.
Together with the “USS Abraham Lincoln” (CVN-72), which has already been operating in the Arabian Sea for weeks, an unprecedented zone of military power is being created.
With more than 300 American aircraft already deployed around Iran at various air bases, the arrival of the “Gerald R. Ford” appears to constitute the final critical piece in the puzzle of a possible attack.
Embassies are being evacuated – The world prepares
Fears of immediate ignition are not limited to military analysts.
The American embassy in Jerusalem allowed non essential personnel and their family members to depart.
Similar instructions were issued by Canada, China, India and Poland to their citizens in Iran, while Britain temporarily withdrew staff from its embassy in Tehran.
The American embassy in Jerusalem, headed by Mike Huckabee, urgently sent an email to its staff, characteristically stating: “Do it today” and requesting that flights to any destination be booked immediately in order to ultimately return to Washington.
The message urged immediate departure: “The first priority is to leave the country quickly,” underlining the seriousness of the situation.
The message is clear: governments are preparing for the worst case scenario.
The energy factor – Strait of Hormuz and global market
The markets reacted immediately.
Brent rose by almost 3%, reaching 72,58 dollars per barrel.
Investors fear that in the event of a strike, Tehran could respond by closing or threatening the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of global seaborne oil trade passes.
The shipping company Maersk has already announced the rerouting of vessels in order to avoid the Red Sea, citing restrictions and security risks.
A prolonged crisis could trigger an energy shock, with consequences for the global economy, inflation and geopolitical balances.
Nuclear program and sanctions
At the core of the crisis lies Tehran’s nuclear program.
The United States demands restrictions on uranium enrichment and strengthened inspection mechanisms. Iran, on its part, considers the lifting of sanctions a prerequisite for any viable agreement.
Washington also cites concerns about Iran’s ballistic program and the support it provides to armed organizations in the region.
The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, is expected to visit Israel for talks regarding “regional priorities,” including Iran.
Human rights and internal pressure
At the same time, organizations such as Amnesty International warn that eight individuals have been sentenced to death in Iran and 22 more, among them two children, are at risk of execution following “rapid and unfair trials.”
Trump has threatened strikes “to help” anti regime protesters, while he has claimed that he prevented the executions of hundreds of people.
Tehran rejects such claims and states that it will not make concessions in cases connected to the recent protests.
Iran’s internal front constitutes a critical factor.
An external strike could either weaken the regime or rally it around the narrative of “foreign aggression.”
www.bankingnews.gr
Readers’ Comments