The United States and Israel have launched missile strikes on Iran.

Israel has referred to the strike as “preemptive.”

Initially assumed to be an Israeli-only operation, Fox News reports that the “United States is participating in these attacks” and that “this is a combined US-Israeli mission.”

Israeli defense minister Israel Katz said in a statement on Saturday that the strike was part of a move to “remove threats against the State of Israel.”

He also declared a “special and permanent state of emergency” throughout the country, warning that Iran could reply with drones and ballistic missiles.

Iran’s national media reported multiple explosions in Tehran, the capital.

At least three blasts were heard downtown, and other missiles were reported to have targeted the city’s Republic sector.

Additional explosions were later reported in Tehran’s northern and eastern neighborhoods.

 Iranian officials had not issued an official announcement regarding casualties or damage.

In Israel, sirens rang out in various regions as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Home Front Command issued a “proactive alert” to citizens.

Civilians were asked to know where the best safe refuge is near them and to avoid unnecessary travel “due to the security situation”.

According to the IDF, the “proactive alert” is intended to prepare the people for the “possibility of missile fire toward our territory”.

However, the military pointed out that there is currently no immediate instruction to enter shelters.

The strikes came amid continued diplomatic attempts between the United States and Iran to limit Tehran’s nuclear program and avoid a larger conflict.

Negotiations were expected to continue next week, although US President Donald Trump said on Friday he was not “thrilled” with the progress of the talks, despite reports that Iran had made some concessions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly warned about what he describes as the growing threat posed by Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities.

He has also voiced strong opposition to any agreement that focuses solely on Iran’s nuclear programme without addressing its missile arsenal.