Israel launches attack on Iran

Israel's army announced it launched an attack on Iranian military targets in the early hours of Saturday.

Explosions were heard around Tehran and Iran's state TV described them as "strong". 

Iran’s IRNA news agency said some of the sounds heard in the capital were caused by air defences being activated and added “the air defence was successful,” according to a security official.

The news agency also said that the situation is normal at Tehran's two main airports.

The White House released a statement shortly after the attack began calling it "an exercise of self-defence" in response to Iran's ballistic missile attack against Israel on 1 October.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in a bunker in Tel Aviv’s Kirya military base as the strikes were launched, according to Netanyahu’s office. The image shared shows him sitting next to Yoav Gallant, Israeli Defense Minister and other military officials.