STORY CONTINUES HEREThe Times of Israel reported an unnamed security source told Channel 12 that the operation was jointly planned for months. The source says Israel is going “all-out” in this operation, and the US is “on the same page”. “The State of Israel has launched a pre-emptive strike against Iran. Defence Minister Israel Katz has declared a special and immediate state of emergency throughout the country,” read a statement from his ministry. The Jerusalem Post reported the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) launched a surprise attack on Iran on Saturday morning (local time), with Iranian state media reporting that explosions had been heard in Tehran.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 28, 2026 13:19 UTC