On February 28, Israel carried out a preemptive strike on Iran, the country’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said. “The State of Israel has launched a preemptive strike on Iran to eliminate the threat to the State of Israel,” his statement said. According to Iranian state media, three explosions were heard in central Tehran, and thick smoke rose into the air.

An air-raid alert was declared in Israel, warning the population about a possible retaliatory strike by Iran, the Israeli military said. Israel’s airspace has been closed to civilian aviation.

The Israeli army also announced that the country is moving to a “special regime”: schools and universities are being closed, mass events are canceled, and most businesses are suspending operations. Only essential services will continue to function.