State of emergency declared: Everything is closed; The army received an order

"We hit the high command, we hit high-ranking scientists who advance the development of nuclear weapons, we hit nuclear installations. We are piling up achievements. But I know, and you know too, there are no easy wars," he said in a video address, in the presence of Defense Minister Israel Katz, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Shas party chief Aryeh Deri and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, reports The Times of Israel.

Israel launched an unprecedented attack on Iran overnight, targeting the core of the nation's nuclear program and senior military leaders. Israeli forces targeted dozens of sites across Iran, targeting the country's nuclear program and long-range missiles, according to an Israeli military official, CNN reported.

• Israel launched an attack; Iran's top military officer killed; Nuclear facilities destroyed; Retaliation
• A major attack on nuclear facilities is prepared; In a panic, USA withdraws the army and evacuates diplomats

An Israeli security source told reporters that Iran's top military leaders, as well as senior nuclear scientists, were targeted in the initial strikes and that there was a "high chance" they had been eliminated.

General Hossein Salami, the top commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed in the attacks, Iranian state media reported, showing photos and videos of burning residential buildings and large plumes of smoke rising from Iran's Natanz nuclear facility.

Large crowds of people gathered in the street outside the buildings as firefighters tried to put out the blaze.

Israel has declared a state of emergency as it braces for potential retaliation from Iran, closing schools, banning social gatherings and advising citizens not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary. Israeli hospitals have been ordered to suspend outpatient examinations and non-emergency activities and move to protected areas, and the Israeli military has called in "tens of thousands" of soldiers to prepare for what's to come.

US President Donald Trump and senior White House officials expected Israeli attacks, two sources familiar with the situation told CNN. There was no US involvement or US assistance in the attacks, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday. The US and Iran have been in negotiations over the nuclear program, and their sixth round of talks is scheduled for Sunday in Oman.

It is not known whether they will still be held.