The long‑feared clash between Israel and Iran has exploded into the open. Shortly after midnight, the IDF confirmed it had launched “preemptive strikes” deep inside Iranian territory, targeting what it claims are imminent‑threat missile, drone and command sites.

Within minutes of the first wave, residents of Tehran reported loud explosions, shaking windows and rolling shockwaves, as air‑raid sirens wailed across the capital. Shaky phone videos show orange fireballs on the horizon and dense plumes of smoke rising from military zones and industrial outskirts, while anti‑aircraft tracers claw at the night sky.

Israeli officials say the operation is aimed at crippling Iran’s ability to launch a massive coordinated attack on Israeli cities and critical infrastructure. “We will not wait to absorb the first blow,” an IDF spokesperson declared, warning that any retaliation will be met with “overwhelming force.”

Tehran has denounced the assault as “naked aggression and a declaration of war,” vowing a “crushing, multi‑front response” through its missile forces and regional proxy militias. Revolutionary Guard units are reportedly dispersing assets and preparing what state TV calls a “historic counter‑strike.”

In Washington and European capitals, emergency meetings are under way as oil prices spike and airlines scramble to reroute flights around Iranian airspace. U.S. forces in the region have moved to maximum alert, deploying additional air‑defense systems to shield bases and allies from the expected retaliation.

For millions watching live images of burning sites and panicked civilians, one reality is unmistakable: the shadow war between Israel and Iran is over. The open shooting war has begun — and the next hours may determine whether it stays contained or ignites the entire Middle East.